Hoeman Touts "Real World" Healthcare Experience

BUT DOCTOR STEERS CLEAR OF SPECIFICS

Democratic State Senate candidate Michael Hoeman stressed his experience as a physician in being able to handle healthcare issues, but made no commitments to try to expand Medicaid and steered clear of endorsing federal healthcare legislation.

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 6 REPORT HERE

"I have consoled patients in my office who have broken down in tears because their Medicaid had been taken away. Without it, healthcare was simply not possible for them," Hoeman said in his campaign kick-off Monday.

But when asked about new potential federal mandates that would force Medicaid expansion, Hoeman balked. "I think we need to look at what our priorities are for healthcare and not just address this piece-meal. I think we need to look at what our revenue situation is here," he said.

***WATCH Q & A ABOVE***

On House & Senate healthcare bills: "I think there are elements in each that are good and I think there are elements in each that are probably not workable.

Hoeman will likely face Republican Rep. Bob Dixon in a battle for Springfield's District 30 State Senate seat.

Last time a Democrat represented Springfield in the State Senate?

1942, Edward A. Barbour Jr., when it was the 20th District

It became the 30th Senate District in 1946.

County Dweller Hoeman Takes Tax Stand

ZING!

Asked if he supported a sales tax hike to shore up Springfield's police and fire pension fund, newly minted Democratic State Senate candidate Michael Hoeman noted he wasn't a city resident.

But Hoeman went on to say he would've voted for the hike if he could've.

*WATCH Q & A ABOVE*

"I think it was crucial for our community . . ."

Comes after The Notebook posed the same question to Republican Rep. Bob Dixon at an endorsement event Monday morning. (SCROLL DOWN)

PLUS: In the Twitterverse: Carl Bearden of AFPMissouri says positions on local issues are irrelevant. Adds that Dixon was right not to answer.

Hoeman kicked off his State Senate campaign Monday. He'll likely face Dixon next November.

Dixon Dodges Sales Tax Question At Firefighter Endorsement

FIREFIGHTERS UNION BACK DIXON IN THE 30th

***WATCH TAX Q & A ABOVE***

Republican State Senate candidate Bob Dixon declined to say whether he voted to raise Springfield's sales tax to help fund the pensions of firefighters, on the same day he received the endorsement of the city's local firefighter union.

Dixon, who scheduled an early Monday morning press conference with Springfield Firefighters Local 152 just hours before his Democratic opponent planned to kick off his campaign, said he did vote on the pension sales tax, which passed overwhelmingly earlier this month.

But three different times, he dodged questions about how he voted, saying it was a decision for the voters of Springfield. Watch the video ABOVE.

"I did vote in the privacy of the voting booth but I did not ask people to vote a certain way," said Dixon, who currently represents the #140th State House District. "I left that decision up to the voters, and I do respect their decision."

Dixon's decision to decline a public position on the sales tax allows him to avoid offending portions of his campaign coalition, which includes firefighters and anti-tax conservatives.

For instance, both firefighter union president Shawn Martin and vocal pension sales tax opponent Fred Ellison stood behind Dixon at his campaign announcement Monday. But Martin and Ellison were on opposite sides of the tax issue.

Martin said he did not know how Dixon voted on the pension tax.

"I have not asked him officially," Martin said in an interview.

"What is more important is where an individual stands as far as getting people to vote," he added. "If he had stood up there and advocated for the tax great. If he had stood up there and advocated against it, that's something else."

UPDATED 5:41 PM: The Greene County Democratic Party accused Dixon of having it both ways. "Rep. Dixon needs to answer this question. He’s trying to have it both ways. We do not need someone in Jefferson City who straddles the proverbial fence and politically calculates their every move, we need a decisive leader for Springfield," said Greene County Democratic Executive Director Matthew Patterson.

Martin said his union decided to endorse Dixon because he's a "longtime friend," who stood up to city leaders when some were reluctant to address the pension shortfall.

Dixon was one of the local lawmakers who helped champion state legislation that required the city address the pension funding problem. "It also offered them the ability to choose whether or not they wanted a tax, and the voters decided that they did," Martin said.

Dixon also won the backing of the Missouri State Council of Firefighters, and thanks both groups for their support in his campaign against Democrat Michael Hoeman.

"I cannot think of any other group that I'd rather have in there with me than the firefighters," Dixon said to cheers.

He said he hoped for a "friendly and respectful" dialogue about the issues with Hoeman, a Springfield school board member and local physician.

Hoeman To Take Plunge Against Dixon

Springfield physician and school board member Michael Hoeman will formally announce his candidacy for State Senate Monday, setting up a likely general election battle with Republican Rep. Bob Dixon.

District #30 incumbent Norma Champion is vacating her seat in 2010 due to term limits.

Hoeman, a Democrat, plans his announcement for 11:30 a.m. in the Frisco Room of the Library Station on 2535 North Kansas Expressway.

In a statement, Hoeman said "quality health care and a quality education are critical to the future success of the Springfield area and Missouri. These topics, along with working to secure a brighter economic future for Missourians were key motivators in making this decision to announce my candidacy."

By most accounts, Hoeman was not the Democratic Party's first choice to run for the open seat. The party had hoped to recruit State Rep. Sara Lampe. After Lampe signaled she was eyeing a future statewide candidacy, the party courted former Greene County Library Director Annie Busch. When Busch decided against a run by early summer, Democratic leaders turned to Hoeman.

***

Hoeman first told The Notebook he was seriously considering a candidacy on June 24th.

The 30th: Love For Labor Friendly Dixon?

Rep. Bob Dixon, a candidate for the 30th Senate District seat in 2010, was the only Republican official to attend Springfield's Labor Day parade and rally.

But Jim Kabell, the business manager for the Teamsters Local 245 union, cautioned that local labor is not necessarily endorsing Dixon in his state Senate bid.

"We've not made any endorsement," said Kabell in an interview. "Dixon has not been a solid labor vote, but there are things he has done."

"When people saw him there, they asked me, 'What are you going to do with him?' And I said, I'm going to introduce him, like we did the other state representatives. This was an ideal opportunity for others to twist his arm," Kabell explained.

VIDEO of Dixon's appearance posted on YouTube shows Kabell crediting Dixon for appearing before a group that usually supports Democrats. "But we need friends on both sides of the aisle folks," Kabell added.

"We need somebody in the Republican Party that will represent working men and women just as we need them in the Democratic Party," Kabell said.

Dixon was clear about why he was there -- to win their votes for his Senate bid.

"I stand before you as the grandson of Democrats and the son of a union member," Dixon said in a brief statement where he promised to campaign for economic opportunity, stronger schools and safe neighborhoods.

Kabell was vague when describing what Dixon has done for labor causes.

"He's kept some things locked up so it doesn't do us harm. He's blocked some things from hitting the floor, made sure some things don't get out of committee," Kabell explained.

When asked for specifics on what Dixon blocked, Kabell declined to say. "I don't want to do him harm, get him in trouble with some of his friends," Kabell added.

Kabell made clear that respect and having a relationship with Dixon does not qualify as an endorsement.

Springfield school board member Michael Hoeman first told The Notebook he was considering a bid for the District #30 Senate seat as a Democrat back in June. Kabell said he's only had a brief conversation with Hoeman that did not include "much substance."

Kabell doesn't know the chances of Dixon winning labor's blessing. They're likely slim.

The fact that Dixon is actively courting labor should be a warning to Greene County Democrats.

And the fact that Dixon is quietly maneuvering policy for labor might catch the antenna of some Republicans.

Third Time a Charm for District #30 Dems?

HOEMAN CONSIDERS STATE SENATE BID

With former Greene County library director Annie Busch likely opting against a candidacy, Springfield Democrats may pin their hopes on school board member Michael Hoeman to run for the District #30 State Senate seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Norma Champion next year.

Hoeman tells The Notebook he's seriously considering a campaign for State Senate, and is talking about the idea with family, friends and potential supporters.

Hoeman has frequently been mentioned as a possible candidate in Democratic circles, but this cycle, the stars may have aligned -- partly by default.

State Rep. Sara Lampe has told party leaders she's not interested in State Senate run. She's likely to run for re-election to the House in 2010 and then feel out possible statewide options. Democratic party insiders then turned to Annie Busch, who many viewed as an attractive candidate with significant name recognition.

Busch was seen as someone who could mount a competitive challenge to Republican front runner Bob Dixon, a House member from the 139th District. But now, Democrats believe Busch is likely opting against taking the plunge, partly on the recommendation of her husband.

That leaves Hoeman, a 7-year school board member who has been active in the Chamber of Commerce and the Greene County Medical Society.

"I'm certainly aware of the history of the politics of the area. I'm not so certain the 30th District is not winnable by a Democrat if you have the right Democrat running," Hoeman said in an interview.

He said that means a candidate who is "fairly conservative" on fiscal issues, but takes "strong stands on leadership." "I think in local elections, personalities become much more important than political labels," he said.

Hoeman is not close to announcing his candidacy. That may not happen until the fall, but in his discussion with local Democratic leaders, he said he has been told Busch has decided not to run.

"No one I've talked to in the Democratic Party has mentioned any other candidate," Hoeman said.

While Dems were obviously hoping for a female to take on Dixon, Hoeman's strength is that he's known well among a bunch of key groups in the area.

"I think I could attract a lot of crossover votes among people I've known, known for years. I think I could have pretty broad support in the community," Hoeman said. "I think Bob's done a fine job in the legislature. I just don't agree with all the votes he's made," he added.

Hoeman may be encouraged to sharpen his rhetoric against Dixon if/when the time comes.

But for Greene County Democrats, who seem to struggle to cultivate and attract competitive candidates, there's some hope that the third time is the charm.