Arthur, Austin, Anderson, Richard, Kehoe lend support
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – News of Caleb Arthur pulling out of the race for Springfield’s Senate District 30 seat was quickly followed Tuesday morning by the announcement of another candidate joining the race.
Former state representative and current Greene County Commissioner Lincoln Hough on Tuesday announced his intent to seek the seat.
“After talking with my family and supporters, I plan to announce for the 30th Senate District, currently held by term-limited Republican Senator Bob Dixon. I have reached out to others looking at running and received their support for my decision. I hope my actions will strengthen the party and create greater Party unity,” Hough said.
The Greene County Commissioner had been considering a run for the District 20 seat, which serves the rural part of Greene County and Christian County, as his family ranch is located there. That would’ve potentially set up a primary race between Hough and former Rep. Eric Burlison in District 20 to replace the term-limited Sen. Jay Wasson. But Hough also has a home in Springfield and has elected to run for the District 30 seat instead, a move that has the support of several local Republicans, and even candidates who had been considering running for the seat.
“I support Lincoln’s decision to run for the 30th Senatorial Seat. I was encouraged to run for this seat, however, unity in our party is very important to me,” State Representative Sonya Anderson, who had been considering a run for the seat, said. “With Lincoln willing to run, I will continue with what my plan has been all along, to finish my term in the House and look for other ways to serve my community here at home.”
As I step aside to support my family and my employees, I believe our community is blessed to have a strong conservative like Lincoln Hough step up and enter the 30th District Senate race,” local businessman Caleb Arthur said. “Lincoln Hough is a proven leader in our community and in Jefferson City. He is someone we can trust to put Springfield interests and Springfield values first. I am confident that Lincoln is the right person to lead our party to victory next November.”
Another potential candidate, Rep. Kevin Austin, also expressed support.
“I was excited to hear Lincoln Hough will run for Senate in Springfield. Lincoln will be the strong, assertive, and intelligent Senator that our city needs and deserves.”
State Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard and Senate Majority Floor Leader Mike Kehoe also released the following statement:
“We are very pleased Lincoln chose to run in the 30th Senatorial District, helping to ensure the area will continue to have strong and effective leadership in the Senate. We are committed to do whatever is needed to retain our strong Republic majorities in the Missouri Senate, and as we have in every cycle, make sure the resources are available to retain the 30th as a Republican seat in 2018. This now gives us two strong candidates in the both the 20th and 30th Senate districts for the citizens of Greene and Christian Counties.”
Benjamin Peters was a reporter for The Missouri Times and Missouri Times Magazine and also produced the #MoLeg Podcast. He joined The Missouri Times in 2016 after working as a sports editor and TV news producer in mid-Missouri. Benjamin is a graduate of Missouri State University in Springfield.
