Page 4A — TUESDAY October 21, 2008
SMARTDECISION08 | 14 DAYS U
WEDNESDAY
Learn more about the candidates
running for the 9th District
U.S. Representative.
THE JOB
There are 163 members of the Missouri House of Representatives, which works
in conjunction with the Missouri Senate to pass legislation and craft annual
state budgets, subject to the approval of the governor. The General Assembly
convenes in early January and continues its session through May. It occasionally
reconvenes in September to reconsider either vetoed bills or bills strongly advo-
cated by the governor but not passed in regular session. Representatives earn
$31,351 per year and receive daily expense allowances and reimbursements for
mileage to and from the Capitol.
CHRISTOPHER DWYER
Libertarian candidate Christopher Dwyer summed up his chances of winning as “Well, since there are three of us, 33 1/3
percent.” His political stances reflect his Libertarian views, and he said children should be covered by insurance.
Up for the challenge
Stay-at-home dad brings a business owner’s perspective
By JENN HERSEIM
D
news@ColumbiaMissourian.com
ressed in a clean blue shirt
and khaki pants, Chris Dwyer
looked a bit out of place in a
pasture feeding sheep from a
feed trough. But, running for
state Senate while a full-time stay-at-
home dad and a part-time farmer and
business man has turned him into a
multi-tasker.
Dwyer maintains his usual routine:
getting his children ready for school
every morning, feeding the animals then
working two days a week at McDonald’s.
But he’s also in a three-way contest for
the 19th District seat in the Missouri
Senate. What are his chances?
“Well, since there are three of us,” he
said, “33 1/3 percent.”
Dwyer is running as the Libertarian
Party candidate for the Senate district
that represents Boone and Randolph
counties. He said he brings a business
owner’s perspective on the economy
that gives him an edge over his oppo-
nents.
Born outside St. Louis, Dwyer is one
of five children. His father held a series
of truck driving jobs that paid for their
house but left the family with little
room for luxuries. He started work-
ing at a young age, cutting grass for a
company then working at McDonald’s
in high school and as a store manager of
a full-service Sinclair station. He went
to North County Technical School to
learn data processing after high school.
But in 1991, he decided things weren’t
progressing the way he wanted, so he
enlisted in the U.S. Air Force.
“I didn’t see a future in what I was
doing so I wanted to learn a technical
skill for when I was a citizen,” Dwyer
said.
Dwyer worked in entomology and
pest control and as a water purification
specialist while in the Air Force. But he
was also involved in a severe accident
19TH SENATE
DISTRICT
Republican Kurt Schaefer,
Democrat Chuck Graham
and Libertarian Chris
Dwyer are contending for
the seat of the 19th
senate district, which
includes Boone and
Randolph counties.
Source: MSDIS, MISSOURI SECRETARY OF STATE
CHRISTOPHER DWYER
LIBERTARIAN
14535 N. Level Road, Hallsville
PERSONAL: Age 41. Married to Max-
ine Dwyer. They have two children.
OCCUPATION: Stay-at-home father,
landlord, animal farmer and co-owner
of Lazy Acres Farm LLC, a company
that buys tax liens.
EDUCATION: Data processing classes
at North County Tech School.
BACKGROUND: Dwyer used to own a
pest-control business and served in
the Air Force for four years, working
in entomology and water purification.
during his service at a North Dakota
base. On December 7, 1993, he and
another airman were making their way
down an icy road in a pickup when their
vehicle slid over black ice and swung
into the path of an oncoming train. The
passenger was killed instantly; Dwyer
suffered injuries to his back and foot.
“Every time you come across rail-
road tracks that thought came into my
mind,” Dwyer said. “When I think about
it, it was just a matter of seconds was all
it was, and we would have been over the
tracks. But I’m a believer in fate and if
it was meant to be, I guess it was meant
to be.”
Dwyer met his wife, Maxine, in 1992
while working part time at a McDon-
ald’s where she worked. After his mili-
tary service, Dwyer started a success-
ful pest-control business, which he later
sold so he could take care of their two
children, Taylor and Brian, while Max-
ine managed three McDonald’s restau-
rants. Dwyer’s sister, Joanne Farrah,
said Dwyer is dedicated to his children.
“He is a really fantastic father,” Far-
rah said. “He’s great with his kids. He
COLUMBIA M
19TH DISTRICT STAT
CHUCK G
RANDOLPH MONROE
AUDRAIN
BOONE
Columbia
COOPER
19th Senate
District CALLAWAY
MONITEAU
COLE
MISSOURIAN
Chuck Graham is seeking a second term in the Missouri Sen
representative for the 24th District.
Approachab
Incumbent hopes personable
By JENN HERSEIM
CHUCK G
S
news@ColumbiaMissourian.com
en. Chuck Graham made his way
to the front of the crowd at a
hog-eating auction fundraiser.
DEMO
More than 50 supporters had 102 W. Green Mea
come to hear the incumbent 19th
District senator speak. PERSONAL: Age 43
The fundraiser came a day before CAMPAIGN WEB SI
Democratic vice presidential nominee com
Joe Biden was to appear in Jefferson
JOSHUA A. BICKEL/Missourian OCCUPATION: Retir
City. Graham didn’t miss the chance
to make a quick joke about the Dela- for Attorney Genera
ware senator’s September visit to the EDUCATION: Bache
Activities and Recreation Center in
broadcast journalis
Columbia, when Biden erred by ask-
ing Graham to “stand up,” unaware Illinois at Urbana-C
that Graham is paraplegic and uses a BACKGROUND: Bef
wheelchair. to the Senate, Grah
“I thought it would be fitting to intro- resentative for the
duce the senator this time,” Graham souri House of Rep
told his audience. The crowd laughed
as Graham began a speech outlining
the importance of higher education in
Missouri.
two terms. Previou
the Missouri coordi
icans with Disabilit
has fun with them.”
Graham’s casual tone and approach- 1990, he was reco
Farrah said that in high school, she
remembers Dwyer was always busy ability are among the qualities that he to help pass the AD
holding down a couple jobs while keep-
ing up with his studies.
said have made him a strong represen-
tative. Graham has represented the
19th District, which includes Boone “Because sometime
Last year, Dwyer and his siblings
and Randolph counties, for the past budgets than famil
went into business purchasing proper- four years in the Missouri Senate and to accomplish thing
ties with tax liens in Missouri. Farrah held the 24th District seat in the Mis- done.”
said Dwyer’s knowledge of Boone Coun-
souri House during the previous eight It was with that th
ty and confident business strategies are
years. Graham is seeking election to a Graham helped th
an asset to the company.
second Senate term on Nov. 4. raise more than $5
“He believes in himself, and believes Although he was a little surprised siren by negotiatin
ance companies for
in the decisions he makes with our com- by the Biden mistake, Graham said he
for a siren became
pany,” Farrah said. tries not to let his disability get in the
tornado ripped thro
Dwyer acknowledged that election to way of his job.
dolph County town
the Senate also would require him to “It’s funny how often I hear friends
Renick residents.
adjust his role as the primary caretaker or colleagues say, “Oh, I forgot you
“Some people th
in his family. “I don’t know what all that were in a wheelchair,” Graham said.
nado siren for Ren
job entails,” he said of the time commit- “I mean they feel bad, but it’s probably
the best compliment they can give me because there aren’
ment senators have to make.
because they see me first before they there,” Graham said
You won’t see any large signs with
start to think about my disability.” ple who live there an
Dwyer’s name on them by the side because they didn’t
In his bid for re-election, Graham is
of the highway, and you won’t see his focusing on the issues of education and tremendous deal.”
face on any television commercials. But health care in Missouri. During his When he was you
he hopes his ideas penetrate the cam- first term in the Senate, he introduced fied his competitive
paign discussion. He said he doesn’t feel a bill that would have created a vot- football, participatin
overlooked, but he was disappointed ing position for a student on the UM and being involved
that organizations such as the Missouri System Board of Curators. It worked ment. He was 16 w
Farm Bureau did not at least consider its way through the General Assembly of the car he was d
endorsing him. but was vetoed by Gov. Matt Blunt. He a broken back. Afte
“I was surprised that they didn’t look said re-filing it next year will be one ham chose to go to th
at the only farmer who is running,” he of the first things he does if citizens nois to play for its wh
said. decide to extend his contract for four team. Graham gradu
Maxine Dwyer is very supportive of more years. degree in broadcast
Graham was born in St. Louis but MU lacked a whe
her husband, but she hasn’t been a big
grew up in the small town of Louisi- program at the ti
contributor to the campaign.
ana, Mo., along the Mississippi River. he’s proud of the w
“She doesn’t like to be involved in my
His parents owned a small women’s some financial back
political career,” Dwyer said, adding
clothing store called Little G and later has now. After coll
that she had little to say when he told a disabilities comm
a T-shirt shop that he managed during
her of his plans to run for the office. high school. Ever since he ran for class Illinois and helped
“I can tell you what my boss said,” government in fifth grade and met his cans with Disabili
Dwyer said. “He said: ‘You’re running state representative on a Boy Scout signed by the presi
as a Libertarian! You’re not going to get field trip, Graham has had his sight set ham attended the si
any votes.’ I said that with my wife I on a career in government. Graham has a his
expect to get at least two. “When people in small communi- ties that traces ba
“If I wind up with only one, I know ties reach out, I understand,” Graham accident. His moth
something happened.” said, referring to his small-town roots. dystrophy and his
MISSOURIAN October 21, 2008 TUESDAY — Page 5A

UNTIL THE ELECTION ON NOV. 4

MORE ONLINE
TE REPRESENTATIVE To hear an audio Q-&-A with each of the three
candidates, go to ColumbiaMissourian.com.

GRAHAM KURT SCHAEFER

JAMES OSTLER/Missourian CHRISTY SIEBERT/Missourian

nate in the 19th District following eight years as state Schaefer, a Republican, is one of two challengers to incumbent Chuck Graham. He said he came to environmental law
because of his love of the outdoors and hopes the communication skills necessary in court will help him in the Senate.

bility is key Law, service mingle

e tone will garner re-election Schaefer wants to use legal skills to help others
By JENN HERSEIM environmental law. He also recalled a
separate car accident that injured his
KURT SCHAEFER

K
news@ColumbiaMissourian.com fascinating lecture by an MU geopoli-
GRAHAM spinal cord. Both of his parents died urt Schaefer walked into public tics professor on the interplay between

OCRAT
earlier from small-cell lung cancer.
Graham said he learned the most
service right out of law school.
The earnest student with top
REPUBLICAN geography and politics. He was so
intrigued that he immediately started
from his mother about how to live with marks and a degree in environ- 3410 Chatham Drive
physical challenges. working on a degree in geography.
adows Road mental law took a cue from his About the same time, Schaefer began
“She always lived her life with grace, PERSONAL: Age 42. Married to Stacia
3. Single. father’s medical career to put his pro- playing bass for a Columbia band called
class and dignity,” Graham said. She Schaefer. They have three children.
fessional skills to work for the benefit Third Uncle. About a year after enter-
ITE: chuckgraham. taught him that “there’s always some-
of others. CAMPAIGN WEB SITE:
body who has it harder than me, so I ing MU, he took jobs at the Blue Note
With a foundation in law, Schaefer schaeferforsenate.com
don’t focus on ‘Woe is me,’ because I and Stephens College to earn money
red, policy director took a position in 1996 as a special pros-
have seen people who have it a lot hard- OCCUPATION: Attorney for Lathrop for a trip to Europe. He took a year off
ecutor in the attorney general’s office.
al Jay Nixon. er than I do. I would say the strength and Gage law firm. to travel, living in both Germany and
“My dad had a deep conviction for
elor’s degree in I have learned since then is persever- Manchester, England. An avid music
helping others, and that was instrumen- EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in
ance. And I like to fight for the little fan, he appreciated Manchester’s musi-
sm, University of tal for me,” Schaefer said. “I joke that I geography, MU; master’s degree in
guy, or someone who is overlooked.” cal influence.
Champaign. was making $24,000 my first year and environmental law and juris doctor-
After school in Illinois, Graham His musical endeavors back home in
my student loans were more than that
fore his election moved to Columbia to work with an ate, Vermont Law School.
each year, but I’ve never had a more Columbia led to a lifelong friendship
ham was the rep- ADA technical assistance program at BACKGROUND: Schaefer worked
MU, helping businesses comply with satisfying job than being a prosecutor.” with Blue Note owner Richard King.
24th District Mis- Schaefer’s knack for persuasive for the Attorney General’s Office as “From my experience, he’s a really
the act. In 1996, he ran for the 24th
presentatives for speech and hard facts led him through a a special prosecutor, then became smart guy,” King said. “He is dedicated
District House seat, beating out Llona
usly, Graham was Weiss in a Democratic primary and series of positions at the Attorney Gen- deputy director of general counsel to to the University of Missouri, and I
inator for the Amer- Republican Donna Spickert. eral’s Office, the Missouri Department the Missouri Department of Natural think he’s sincere about being a public
ties Act project. In “Chuck and I agree on a number of of Natural Resources and as a lawyer servant.”
Resources.
ognized for his work issues, which made that race really and partner of Lathrop and Gage law Some of Schaefer’s longest and dear-
interesting,” Weiss said. “He knows firm in Jefferson City. Now, he said, he est friendships were formed when he
DA.
politics. He knows how to work the is trying to take those skills and apply
“I wanted to be a farmer. But nowa- and his wife, Stacia, were working for
political process and get things done them to the state Senate.
days if you have to buy a farm outright, restaurant owners around Columbia.
es they have smaller legislatively.” Schaefer, a Republican, is one of two
not inherit one from your family, it’s Schaefer met Stacia when they were
lies. And they have Graham won re-election three times people challenging incumbent state hard,” Schaefer said. “But I absolutely
Sen. Chuck Graham for the 19th Dis- both students at MU. They have three
gs that need to be and served in the House through 2004. loved it. It gave me an appreciation for
trict seat in the General Assembly’s children, Max, 10, Wolf, 7, and Lena, 3.
He then won the state Senate seat for farmers and the whole lifestyle that Shorr called Schaefer “a great family
hought in mind that the 19th District. higher chamber. goes along with farming. In my practice
he town of Renick Schaefer’s personality and profession- guy.”
Elaine George, a retired day care now, I represent a lot of farmers and
5,000 for a tornado worker from Hallsville, said she turned alism reflect many of the characteris- King said he and Schaefer have dis-
agricultural organizations.”
ng with local insur- to Graham and his staff when her town tics of a lawyer. Friends and colleagues The Missouri Farm Bureau endorsed cussed his plans to run for office sev-
r money. The need needed help establishing a fairground. mention his work ethic and dedication Schaefer. He said there are a lot of eral times.
e apparent after a “He’s always just been willing, if you as one of his foremost attributes. He is things lawmakers can do to open up “We’ve talked a lot together over the
ough the tiny Ran- have a problem and you need assis- aware of his skills, speaks with author- agriculture in Missouri international- years about it, and I’ve told him ‘You’ve
in 2006, killing two tance,” George said. “He helped get ity on matters of energy, environment ly. He pointed to the state agriculture got to be crazy,’ because a lot of times
our fairgrounds in Hallsville, and he and education and possesses an air of department’s recent steps toward open- it’s a thankless job. But as far as his
hink getting a tor- supports our 4-H program. He’s always determination that makes him a pas- ing up Korean markets. dedication to Boone County, the city of
nick isn’t a big deal a supporter there in purchasing kid’s sionate orator. David Shorr, a partner of Lathrop and Columbia, and this university, his head
’t that many people things.” Neither soft-spoken nor overly loud, Gage and former director of the state is in the right place,” King said.
id, “but for the peo- Although Graham has been a popu- Schaefer meets people with a full smile Department of Natural Resources, has At a recent Republican Leadership
nd experienced loss lar politician, he suffered a setback underneath dark-rimmed glasses and known Schaefer since he was an intern Council, Schaefer was able to meet his
t have one, that’s a last October when he was involved in always offers a handshake. Although with the DNR. After that, Schaefer was
he always considered himself an extro- lifelong hero, former U.S. Sen. John
a three-car accident in south Colum- offered a job as a special prosecutor. In Danforth, who recognized Schaefer as
ung, Graham satis- bia. He was arrested for driving while vert, he said he was never overly social 1999, Shorr recruited Schaefer to work
ve spirit by playing while growing up. one of the council’s endorsed candi-
intoxicated and later pleaded guilty. with him at Lathrop and Gage.
ng in track and field He agrees with his opponents that his “The political process is not the most dates.
“This kind of job demands that you
in student govern- behavior was inappropriate. exciting part for me. The exciting part work all kinds of hours and time,” Shorr Danforth called Schaefer a “remark-
when he lost control “It was certainly an error in judg- for me is helping shape public policy,” said. “His persistence is one of his ably strong candidate.”
driving and suffered ment, and I am embarrassed by it,” Schaefer said. “You know, the whole greatest attributes. He is a very con- Schaefer said he is something of a
er the accident, Gra- Graham said. “And it’s certainly not political part, that’s just kind of what scientious young man. He brings a lot “poster boy” for the council, which
he University of Illi- something that is going to happen you have to go through to get to the of attributes to the citizens of Boone seeks to move the Republican Party
heelchair basketball again.” point where you can be influential and County.” back to traditional ideas of lower taxes
uated in 1987 with a With election day less than a month use the skills you have to shape sound Six years later, Schaefer was offered and less government while leaving divi-
t journalism. away, Graham isn’t worrying about policy. I know there are a lot of politi- a job in the Department of Natural sive social issues for citizens to decide.
heelchair basketball what he will do if he doesn’t win a sec- cians out there, and they love the politi- Resources as general counsel and dep- “It goes back to the true Republican
ime. Graham said ond Senate term. cal process.” uty director. During his time at DNR, idea, that everyone should be treat-
work he did to gain “I haven’t considered it,” he said. Before Schaefer spent his summers he was responsible for litigating in the ed equally, everyone should have the
king for the team it “One of the things I learned from my interning for the attorney general, he aftermath of Taum Sauk Reservoir dam same opportunities and that govern-
lege, he worked as accident is I don’t think in hypotheti- was working on a friend’s farm. He failure in 2005. The litigation resulted ment should stay out of people’s lives,”
munity organizer in cals. I could have sat around that hos- concedes he was somewhat of a “teach- in Ameren paying millions of dollars for
er’s pet” in school. Schaefer befriended Schaefer said.
d write the Ameri- pital room and thought: ‘What if I did the park cleanup, and Schaefer secured
ities Act that was this or that?’” his third-grade teacher, and when she $18 million from Ameren for a Katy “It should provide those services that
ident in 1990. Gra- “But it doesn’t change what’s in front decided to leave his school to work on Trail extension to Kansas City. Schaefer the government needs to provide, edu-
igning ceremony. of me. And the reality is I have 25 her farm, she invited Schaefer to visit. said the first thing he will do if elected cation, public safety, everything that
story with disabili- days till the election. And if the people The farm life captured his spirit, and he is get legislative approval for the trail goes along with that. But there are a lot
ack before his own decide to extend my contract for the continued coming back every summer extension. of other things, whether Democrat or
her had muscular next four years, then that’s what I’ll until he was 18, growing closer to the Schaefer said his love for the outdoors Republican, that the government should
brother was in a do.” idea of becoming a farmer. was one factor that brought him to simply not be in.”