Some fresh faces likely to emerge on political scene

Want to run for public office?
Now is the time to step forward if you want to spend some time in Jefferson City. The state primaries aren’t until August  2010, and the general election is still a year away in November 2010, but candidates and potential candidates are beginning to come out of the woodwork, or are covertly testing the waters and raising money within their parties before making announcements.
There figure to be some new names added to our local handbooks. The odds of political newcomers getting elected to state offices have never been better.
Because of term limits of four two-year terms for state representatives, we are guaranteed to have a bunch of fresh faces representing our area in the statehouse next term because few incumbents will be running.
Six men have dominated the area political scene by winning four consecutive elections in six of the seven districts that represent most of the Independence/Blue Springs/Grain Valley area: Ray Salva in the 51st, Paul LeVota in the 52nd, Curt Dougherty, 53rd, Gary Dusenberg, 54th, Bryan Pratt, 55th, and Brian Yates, 56th.
None of them can run for their office again. Bryan Pratt announced this week that he is running for the 8th District State Senate seat, currently held by Matt Bartle. Yates and Dusenberg say they may also seek that seat. Bartle cannot run again because of term limits.
Eastern Jackson County may be hurt by the lack of experience returning to the statehouse in 2010, certainly one of the main arguments against term limits. Only 11th District State Sen. Victor Callahan, whose term lasts until 2012, is guaranteed to come back from our area. In the 49th House District, comprised of central and western Independence, Tom McDonald is serving his first term, and could be one incumbent on the ballot.
It will be interesting to see who steps forward for the other offices. John Bullard announced this summer he intends to run in the 54th District, and Sheila Solon said she is considering a run in the 55th. Rumors are flying about other potential candidates, and we should expect to hear some more announcements soon.
City races will soon make headlines, too, as those races go to the polls in April 2010, and it won’t be long before candidates start stepping forward and we see billboards and campaign signs dotted around the neighborhoods.
It is democracy in action, and we can all participate as long as we are U.S. citizens of legal age (and without felony convictions). Let the games begin.