Saline County has a candidate for the second-highest office in state government.

Presiding Commissioner Becky Plattner of Grand Pass announced Tuesday, March 25, that she is seeking the office of lieutenant governor and filed Friday, March 21, to be on the August primary ballot.

Plattner said the lieutenant governor's job is to promote the state and support the people.

She's had the idea of running for the office on her mind for some time, she said, because it would offer her a chance to pursue at the state level the kinds of projects she has engaged in locally, especially promoting tourism and agriculture.

The two industries are at the top of the state's economy and their development should be top priorities for state government.

"If we keep on the way we're going we're going to sell agriculture right out of the state," she said.

Coming from Saline County, among the strongest agricultural counties in the state, should be a plus for her candidacy, according to Plattner.

Meredith Miles Marmaduke, who later would serve as governor, was the last Saline Countian to hold the lieutenant governor post, according to the state's official manual.

He served from 1840-1844.

"I think it's time Saline County had another officeholder at the state level," she said.

Apparently only one other women have served in the post, Harriet Woods, 1985-1989.

Plattner indicated that she's not naive about her chances, however.

For one thing, she admits she's not fond of the fundraising aspect of seeking higher office.

While candidates from urban areas might have several hundred thousand dollars in their campaign coffers, Plattner's aren't bulging with cash at the moment.

And she intends to keep her focus on her current duties as presiding commissioner and member of the state Conservation Commission.

"I'm not going to run a hard campaign," she said, noting that she is committed to serving the people of Saline County. "I just want to get my name in the hat. I just want the public to know that (statewide office) is a goal I have."

Plattner joins five other Democrats on the primary ballot, according to the Missouri Secretary of State's Web site: Sam Page of Creve Coeur, Michael E. Carter of St. Charles, Richard Charles Tolbert of Kansas City, Mary Williams of Jefferson City and C. Lillian Metzger of Troy.

Republicans will choose among incumbent Peter Kinder of Cape Girardeau, Paul Douglas Sims of Lecoma and Arthur Hodge Sr., of Springfield.

Contact Eric Crump at marshalleditor@socket.net

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