By MIKE ANTHONY

Executive Editor

A political newcomer and a former County Council member are seeking to unseat Re-publican incumbent Jim Lembke in the race for the 85th District Missouri House seat.

Libertarian Jim Craig, former County Councilman Jeff Wagener, a Democrat, and Lembke are vying for the 85th District House seat, which carries a two-year term, in the Nov. 2 election.

Asked to identify the most important issue in the race, the candidates responded:

• “I cannot single the issues to one most important. All are important,” Craig said.

• “Job creation and economic development,” Lembke said. “Put people back to work and we solve the revenue and health-care concerns.”

• “The rising cost of health care and health insurance,” Wagener said.

Craig, 34, 9 Buckley Meadows Drive, 63125, is a security operations controller for the Sigma-Aldrich Corp. He is single.

Craig, who has not held public office, said he is seeking election to the 85th Dis-trict House seat “to represent my district and the state by encouraging liberty (and) lowering taxes.”

Lembke, 43, 812 Ann Lynn Court, 63125, is business manager for Providence Chris-tian Academy. He and his wife, Donna, have two school-age children.

Lembke was elected to the 85th District seat in 2002. He is seeking re-election “to serve the people of Missouri by being a good steward of the taxpayers’ money.”

Wagener, 42, 607 Sappington Barracks Road, 63125, is an attorney with Welsh & Hubble. He is married to Suzanne and he has two school-age children.

Wagener served on the County Council from 1996 to 2000.

He is seeking election to the 85th District seat “because our state is headed in the wrong direction in almost every significant way. From public education to health care, our state is on the wrong track. The current majority has ignored our children, hurt our senior citizens and have discounted the will of the people. I will make protecting our families my No. 1 goal.”

The candidates gave the following re-sponses to a Call questionnaire:

What is your position on abortion?

Craig said, “This is such a sensitive issue. I cannot tell a person what to do. Let people decide what is best for themselves.”

Lembke said, “One-hundred percent pro-life. I will continue to protect the sanctity of life at all stages. The protection of innocent human life is a primary function of good government.”

Wagener said, “I oppose abortion except to save the life of the mother or in cases of rape or incest. I also oppose partial-birth abortion.”

What is your position on the death penalty?

Craig said, “For heinous crimes, it should be done months after sentencing, not years. Methods are: hanging, electrocution and firing squad.”

Lembke said, “I support the death penalty in the case of first-degree murder.”

Wagener said, “I feel that punishment for all crimes should be strong and swift. I am concerned in light of recent revelations that implementation of the death penalty has been flawed. I struggle as a person with the moral efficacy of the death penalty. While I am not yet prepared to say it should be abolished, it should certainly be reserved for the most heinous of crimes, including terrorism. Additionally, it should not be used unless there is no doubt re-garding a person’s guilt.”

Would you support placing a constitutional amendment before voters that, if approved, would repeal the supermajority requirement for school district bond issues?

Craig said, “No.”

Lembke said, “No. I support our schools receiving their fair share funding from the state formula. The taxpayers in south county are paying 85 percent to 90 percent of the total per-pupil cost through local property taxes.”

Wagener said, “Yes. As it stands now, the wishes of a vast majority of citizens are denied because of the supermajority re-quirement. In a democracy, the majority should rule. The requirement is an undue burden on school districts.”

Are changes needed to the law allowing Missouri citizens to carry concealed weapons? If so, why? If not, why not?

Craig said, “I support a well-qualified person’s right to protect him/herself with a concealed gun. St. Louis County must immediately issue permits.”

Lembke said, “Yes, there needs to be a fix to the application fee structure that covers all cost so not to trigger the Han-cock Amendment.”

Wagener said, “Yes. The bill should have never been introduced. The vast majority of residents in the 85th District voted against conceal and carry in the 1999 referendum. The wishes of the people were ignored and a bill was passed that is very flawed. We need to make certain we close the loophole that allows someone to have a gun in their car without a license. Addi-tionally, the state needs to pay the county for the licensing costs. Right now it is an unfunded mandate.”

What do you propose to make health-care accessible and affordable to Mis-souri citizens?

Craig said, “Most everyone needs health care. It is so expensive. Uninsured people like myself pray we stay healthy.”

Lembke said, “Tort reform, insurance reform and regulatory requirements on small business. The above mentioned will create new jobs in Missouri.”

Wagener said, “The rising costs of health care and health insurance is a national crisis. It threatens the financial security of our families and the existence of small businesses. I believe strongly that quality health care is a right not a privilege. We must make certain that every person, especially our children and seniors has the dignity of receiving quality health care without going bankrupt. I support expanding Medicaid eligibility to include more seniors and cover prescription drug costs for those seniors who fall into the federal ‘doughnut hole.’ I also support expanding the Children’s Health Insurance Pro-gram (CHIPS). I support laws that prohibit insurance companies from excluding mental health coverage from their policies.”

The Legislature last session approved legislation protecting Missouri residents from Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation, or SLAPP lawsuits. Should the provisions of this legislation be ex-panded?

Craig said, “A person has the right to freedom of speech, assembly, petition, press. Ridiculous lawsuits to suppress freedoms must be stopped.”

Lembke said, “I support expanding the approved legislation that I handled in the House this past session to include free-speech rights of private citizens at public meetings and in their communities.”

Wagener said, “The law currently protects speech in a public forum. I believe we need to look at the possibility of expanding the law to cover citizens outside of a public forum.”

Do you support the existing emissions testing program in St. Louis County administered as the Gateway Clean Air Program?

Craig said, “The Gateway Program should be canceled. My idea is giving tax breaks for tune-ups (and) oil and air filter changes.”

Lembke said, “I believe the current program is a disservice to the taxpayers. I am not convinced that the current program is doing anything to improve our air quality.”

Wagener said, “No. The Gateway Clean Air Program is an out-of-state company making millions on this program and taking their profits out of Missouri. It is inconvenient for our citizens and unnecessary. I support allowing local shops who are licensed to do mechanical inspections to perform the emission tests. I also support a review of the entire emission testing program. If we can cancel our contract with Gateway Clean Air without incurring catastrophic financial penalties, we should do so.”

Are changes needed to the state’s current Open Meetings and Records Law?

Craig said, “No opinion.”

Lembke said, “I would need more information to form a position on any needed changes. I am always open to hear suggestions.”

Wagener said, “I would support any changes that would ensure public meetings are open and allow citizens access to public records at minimal cost.”