SIKESTON, Mo. -- Democrat Mike Marsh, a museum director and retired high school teacher, has entered the race for the Missouri House, joining Republicans Josh Bill and Holly Rehder.

Marsh's decision means there will be opposition in the Nov. 6 general election between Marsh and whoever wins the Aug. 7 Republican primary.

"Some of the people in public office have forgotten they are public servants," Marsh said. "It is their job to do what's best for the majority of the people, not for their personal interests or a particular political party."

Marsh describes himself as a moderate who believes both parties should work together to find the best possible solution to problems. Marsh is a 1973 graduate of Sikeston High School and a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University.

He was sports editor of the Sikeston Standard Democrat for a time before he worked for 24 years as a high school social studies teacher in the Scott County school system. Since retiring in 2007, he has served as the director of the Sikeston Depot Museum.

Josh Bill

Marsh currently serves on the Sikeston School Board, the convention and tourism board, the historic promotion committee and is president of the Sikeston Lions Club.

All of the candidates are seeking to replace Rep. Ellen Brandom, who is leaving the House to run for Missouri's 27th senatorial district seat where she faces Cape Girardeau Republican Wayne Wallingford.

But both of the Republicans said they are the best candidates for the job.

Former Sikeston mayor Josh Bill said that he's been friends with Marsh for more than two decades, but that they haven't ever had a political conversation. Bill said he understands that Marsh is a conservative Democrat but added that would make him "very lonely" in a state legislature that is dominated by the GOP.

"I think the conservative, pay-as-you-go social Southern Democrat, conservative Southern Democrat, is a distant memory," Bill said. "I don't think there is such a character anymore. If they exist anymore, they don't have any significant presence in Jefferson City or Washington."

Holly Rehder

For her part, Rehder said Marsh's entry into the race won't change her strategy.

"My goal is to contact as many voters as possible and to speak to them one on one," said Rehder, a former campaign staffer for U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson and co-owner of Integrity Communications in Sikeston. "We need people that have business experience in office. That has been my goal."

Marsh noted that he has studied many systems of government and economies. He also taught history, which he said means he's studied heroes and villains.

"What I've always found is that true lasting achievements have come from the actions of committed people working toward a common goal," he said. "For me, my success as a representative would be directly linked to the success of my state, my district, my home."

With the filing period set to expire March 27, time remains for others to file for the seat as well. The 148th includes northern Mississippi County and eastern Scott County, including Charleston, Wyatt, Anniston, Scott City, Morley, Benton and a portion of Sikeston.

smoyers@semissourian.com

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Sikeston, MO