The #135th: Denison Predicts Close Race; Hagan Runs As Dark Horse

With 10 days to go, both candidates for the #135th legislative district seat were pounding the pavement and knocking on doors, in a race that Rep. Charlie Denison says will probably be the closest of his career.

Democrat Nancy Hagan is challenging Denison for a district seat that represents a good portion of south Springfield.

"I'm so charged by this, so pumped up by this," Hagan said, as she walked door-to-door near Plainview Road Saturday afternoon. "I'm hearing what people are saying and they want change. How can you vote for your constituents if you don't hear them?"

Meanwhile, at the same time, Rep. Charlie Denison was campaigning on the eastern side of the district, near Greenwood Road.

"I think Ms. Hagan has worked very hard, so I think this will be the closest general I've ever had," Denison said.

Restoring MAWD

But Denison said the strength of Missouri's economy would help push him through to victory come election day. "People will realize that the state's economy been better than it's ever been, and that Southwest Missouri has been the driving force for new jobs," he said.

As Hagan hits the doors - she estimates close to 10,000 - she said she is hearing a different story. "People can't tell you who their state representative is. They are asking for change. They want to know about education and healthcare. I just knocked on a door, where a single mom was almost in tears because she can't afford health insurance for her little boy. She was a former student of mine. I just took her in my arms and hugged her," Hagan said.

When I revisited the Medicaid cuts with Denison, he acknowledged some went to far and promised changes next legislative session. "What we were trying to do is cut out the fraud, and things got cut out that shouldn't have been cut out," he said.

Denison promised that MAWD, a medical program for the working disabled, would be reinstated quickly. "I can assure you that we will take care of that within the first few months," Dension said.

Like most Democrats, Hagan called the cuts a mistake, and took aim at Denison for comments he made to KY3 News about the changes. "Anytime a legislator casts a vote and then says later, I wish I would've studied it more, like he did to KY3, he's not representing the people. I just stood there watching that and my jaw dropped. I'm going to do my research before I vote on any bill, I can promise you that," Hagan said.

Smaller Classes, Higher Salaries

A longtime educator in the district, Hagan's passion is education. She supports legislation to mandate class sizes, with younger grades having smaller sizes. She also proposes more funding for higher teacher salaries in order to stay competitive.

"We're 45th in teacher salaries. We have got to look at bringing that up statewide to continue to attract the best and brightest. I just don't know how people can go to small towns and teach," Hagan said.

She said she cringes when she hears politicians say they are fully funding education, when it won't be fully funded until 7 years from now. "I have a grandson in the fourth grade, that means he won't be getting the full dollars spent on him until he's a sophomore or junior in high school," Hagan said.

She vehemently opposes any type of private voucher proposal. She said it's one of the reasons she is running. "There are so many laws, rules and regulations public education has to follow that private schools do not have to. If we are going to give them money, they should have to comply to things like addressing special needs students. Because they don't right now. They send them to the R-12 schools to deal with," Hagan explained.

Denison said that while he was wary about the new school funding formula, it is working out well for schools. "The fact is that money was held over by Governor Holden. Our new school funding formula has put us in really good shape. We're in better shape than we were when we passed it. As you know, I had some problems with it, but it has worked well," Dension said.

Denison said he supports smaller class sizes, but opposes Hagan's plan to mandate them at the state level. "I don't think I can come in and mandate local schools do this. Let the local school districts decide. That's what I've been trying to do my full 2 years in the House, let local control decide," Denison said.

Eliminate Taxes, Deport Illegals

Completely eliminating the state tax on the social security earnings of seniors. That would be the top priority for Denison this next legislative session. "I hear a lot from seniors about the burden of taxes. We should get rid of this tax on earnings," he said.

Denison said he is also being flooded with e-mails about immigration. "A lot of people want us to crackdown. They don't want state money going to illegal foreigners in any way," Dension said.

When I asked him what could be done on the state level to address the issue, he said assisting in deportation would be a start. "If they aren't here legally, we need to get them out of here. Send them back where they came from," Denison said.

He said he would do that by passing a law allowing local law enforcement to take a greater role in combating illegals. "I just don't see there's any other way we can do it," Denison said.

Ballot Initiatives

Hagan said she supports the stem cell research ballot initiative and minimum wage hike, but remains undecided on the tobacco tax. "If I knew for sure where the money was going to go, I'd vote for it, but I remember the lottery money," she said.

Denison said he will vote "no" on all three major ballot initiatives. "I could never support cloning and that stem cell ballot initiative has 3,000 words in it amending the constitution. The legislature could never do anything with it," he explained.

In talking to businesses, he said he sees no advantage in raising the minimum wage. "It would hurt business and a lot of the ones I've been talking to, even McDonald's and Arby's, they start their people out at $8 to $10 dollars an hour," Denison said.

Denison said he also opposes the tobacco tax.

The Party Doesn't See It

For Hagan, this race has been uphill from the start. It's not just about being a challenger. It's about having financial backing from the party.

"It's been really tough for me that the party doesn't see it," Hagan said, referring to her chances at knocking of a Republican incumbent in a reliably G.O.P. district.

"They see Charlie Norr, Jamie Schoolcraft and of course Sara (Lampe) at 50%, and that's where the money goes," she said. "And we're talking money. You put it where you have the best chance to win, and I'm the long shot," Hagan said, as she laughs.

That's why Hagan has turned to such an aggressive door-to-door campaign. When I asked Hagan why voters should throw out a incumbent Republican for a new Democrat, she said it's all about planning.

"They will know I'm representing them. I will pledge weekly updates while we are in session, monthly updates when we are not in session, calls to constituents," Hagan said.

Seems like boilerplate stuff any legislator should be doing anyway.

But Hagan said she'd be more aggressive than Denison on constituent services, and present a vision for the district and state. "I think a lot of people go to Jefferson City, and they think about bills to be passed for this year, but they don't make it about 5 or 10 years down the road. I want to be that long-term person. I'd be a planner," Hagan said.

Despite the money and the odds, Hagan still thinks she has a shot at pulling off an upset in the #135th.

"I've been at 3 schools in this district, my husband has been at 5. It helps. They remember me and I remember their names, and they are voting for me. And some of these people are strong Republicans," Hagan said.

She said the 22% undecided vote will determine this race. In the final week of the campaign, she plans to hit those voters with mailings and phone calls.

A lifetime educator, Hagan is optimistic, but realistic.

"Oh, if I win, it'd be a huge upset. I know I'm a long shot," she said. "I'm the dark horse."