Pile-On

POWELL, ZWEIFEL SEIZE ON SIMCKES COMMENTS

Powell Blasts E-mail To Supporters

Zweifel Calls on Simckes to "Recant Support" for Missouri Civil Rights Initiative

SIMCKES RESPONDS

***DEVELOPING . . .

Andria Simckes two main rivals for the Democratic nomination for State Treasurer took aim at comments she made at a Springfield gathering reported by the KY3 Political Notebook last week.

Mark Powell sent an e-mail blast to supporters this weekend which included a link from PudDef.net. The website followed up on our reporting on Simckes' controversial comments claiming quiet endorsements from Sen. Claire McCaskill and party chair John Temporiti.

"This link will take you to an interesting article and blog post concerning one of my opponent's comments...please take a moment to read the article, and pay particular attention to the comment made by 'St. Louis Oracle'," Powell wrote.

Today, Rep. Clint Zweifel, another Democratic candidate for Treasurer, called on Simckes to reconsider her support "for the deceptively named 'Missouri Civil Rights Initiative.'" The Ward Connerly ballot initiative would "effectively prohibit state and local governments from discriminating against or granting preferential treatment to any individual or group based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in the operation of public employment, education and contracting."

"This initiative would negatively impact the educational and financial opportunities for women and minorities," said Rep. Zweifel. "I cannot fathom how a Democratic candidate for State Treasurer could support such a regressive measure. This is divisive politics at its worse."

"I hope Andria is just misinformed and will recant her statement immediately," said Rep. Zweifel.

Last Thursday, when Simckes was asked about the Civil Rights Initiative by an attendee, she didn't appear to answer the question directly. She talked about how there had never been a African-American elected to statewide office in Missouri. She then said, "I am a supporter." But then later added, "I do what I can to support diversity." It's unclear if Simckes misspoke in attempting to answer the question or was unclear about the goals of the "Civil Rights Initiative."

Monday afternoon, Simckes sent the KY3 Political Notebook this statement:

"I support the right to equal opportunity for all Americans. I am living proof of that opportunity. My acceptances in the NASA-Lewis MARS Internship Program and Brown University are just two examples of how the right to equal opportunity has benefited me personally. Affirmative Action is one of the most effective tools in beginning to level the playing field for women and minorities. I have always and will continue to support everyone’s right to equal opportunity," Simckes.

A call to Simckes to clarify and elaborate on her position was not immediately returned.