This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Dec. 18, 2012 - U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau, has offered to resign earlier than she had initially planned “to give Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon the flexibility to schedule a special election to coincide with the April 2, 2013 statewide general municipal election.”
Emerson’s aim, in part, is reduce the cost of the special election necessary to choose her successor. Secretary of State Robin Carnahan’s office has estimated that the special election would cost the state about $1 million. But if the election were April 2, the cost would presumably be less.
Nixon's spokesman declined comment this week – implying that the governor, a Democrat, isn’t going to get involved in any negotiations about Emerson’s departure.
She is slated to be the new national head of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and plans to begin her new highly paid job in mid-February.
Emerson had planned to make her House resignation effective Feb. 8. However, a spokesman for Emerson told the Beacon that Emerson has learned that the U.S. House won’t be in session on Feb. 7 or 8, so she is willing to leave earlier.
“My foremost priority is to be sure that the 8th congressional district is well-represented in Congress,” Emerson said in a statement issued late last week. “April 2 is the most likely date for the governor to set a special election, so I want to minimize the cost and inconvenience involved in this process as much as I can – as well as assuring the people’s seat is vacant for as brief a period of time as possible.
“At the same time, I am working for our district until the day I leave elected office. I will have to make the best decision I can, knowing what votes may be scheduled and with the consultation of the speaker of the House, to time my departure. But I have every intention of making sure the governor has the ability to restore representation to the people of the 8th District by holding a special election on April 2 if he chooses.”
Meanwhile, Republican jockeying for her House post continues. The leading contenders appear to be state Republican Party executive director Lloyd Smith and Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder.
