Burghard: Hulshof's Actions Should Trouble Voters
By DOUG WILSON
Herald-Whig Senior Writer
March 29, 2006

HANNIBAL, Mo. - Duane Burghard said Northeast Missouri residents don't agree with U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof's political views, but many of those same people don't know how the incumbent has voted in Congress. Burghard is the Democrat candidate challenging Hulshof, a five-term incumbent. He believes Hulshof is vulnerable, but thinks people first need to know more about someone who he says they probably know little about. "It's a re-education process," Burghard said during a Tuesday visit to Hannibal.

"Nobody wants to say Kenny Hulshof isn't a nice guy. But I want to make the point that he's voted for or said or supported things that aren't in the best interests of people in Northeast Missouri."

During the past few years, Burghard said Hulshof has voted "with President Bush" 93 percent of the time. He believes that will trouble many independent voters and centrists who disagree with the president's stance on the Iraq war, the deficit, the Patriot Act and insufficient Medicare drug coverage.

Burghard said Hulshof's vote for what Burghard calls "borrow and spend" budgets should trouble voters, as should his vote for a Patriot Act that limits people's civil rights.

Burghard said Hulshof's Democrat challengers have been terribly underfunded and in the aggregate have been outspent by Hulshof by a 10-to-1 margin, and a big reason why he's set a $1 million fundraising goal for this campaign.

Christine Negley, Burghard's mother, traveled with him Tuesday. A certified financial planner, Negley urged supporters to give to Burghard's campaign and solicit donations from friends.

During a visit to Hannibal, Burghard told people he wasn't running for Hulshof's seat, and said he prefers to think he's running for the seat held between 1976 and 1996 by former U.S. Rep. Harold Volkmer, a Hannibal Democrat.

Since both Burghard and Hulshof are Columbia residents, Boone County most likely will become ground zero in the campaign, Burghard said. But he quickly added that he won't belittle or ignore other counties.

After one month on the campaign trail, Burghard has put 4,000 miles on his car and considers the experience "a blast." He said raising money is frustrating, but meeting people and talking with them about issues is enjoyable.

This story can be found online at The Quincy Herald Whig