Saline County farmer Brent Sandidge (right) welcomes Republican gubernatorial candidate and fraternity brother Kenny Hulshoff to Marshall. (Eric Crump/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

In an era marked by bitter partisan divides, it may seem outlandish for a Democrat to openly support a Republican for an important and powerful government job -- like governor of the state.

According to Brent Sandidge, it's not such a reach for a conservative Democrat in Saline County to support U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof, Republican candidate for governor.

Sandidge, a Saline County farmer, has produced commercials supporting Hulshof, and at a campaign event hosted at the Martin Community Center by state Sen. Bill Stouffer, Sandidge introduced the candidate to the audience.

But before the event began he talked about why he's crossing the partisan divide in this case.

Sandidge and Hulshof have known each other since college.

They weren't in the same class at the University of Missouri, but they were in the same fraternity and have kept in touch occasionally over the years since. His support is based more on faith in the person than on ideological agreement.

"I don't agree with him on everything, but he's a good person. None better," Sandidge said. "I told Kenny years ago -- if he's going to do anything (politically), I'm going to support him."

Sandidge said he thinks Hulshof could help bring people together. And in a county that is strongly Democrat-leaning but not necessarily liberal, Hulshof may have appeal, according to Sandidge.

"If you put a 'D' behind his name, Kenny would fit (in) in this county," he said.

"He's got a unique ability to lead," Sandidge added. "He was a leader in college. You saw that."

Hulshof is locked in a tight primary race with state Treasurer Sarah Steelman.

After Sandidge's introduction, Hulshof spoke about his values and his experience in Congress, noting -- as farm state legislators often do -- the challenges of educating their urban colleagues about the realities of farming.

He then took questions from the audience.

One person asked about his support for the state's ethanol mandate, an issue on which he and Steelman diverge.

Hulshof said although he's "getting beaten up" for it, he continues to support the mandate and subsidies.

"You can't expect a fledgling market to stand on its own two feet when it's up against the oil industry," he said, noting that oil production is also heavily subsidized.

He said as the industry matures a "new equilibrium" will develop.

Another audience member asked him what he thought about the sale of Anheuser-Busch to inBev, a Belgian brewer. Hulshof winced.

"'The King of Beers' should be an American company," he said, but since the deal is done, it's up to Missouri officials to convince the company to stay in the state. "We've got to make this an opportunity."

Hulshof was also asked about the immigration issue.

He said state and even local governments are being forced to deal with the issue because of "gridlock" at the federal level.

He also chided his own party for failing to make the case that it is not just opposed to illegal immigration but fully supports legal immigration and should work to make the process less time-consuming and difficult for those immigrants who are trying to follow the law.

With just more that two weeks to go before the primary, Hulshof urged any Democrats in the room to pick up a GOP ballot and help him in his battle with Steelman.

According to a St. Louis news Web site last week, 32 percent of Republicans polled said they would vote for Hulshof, while 24 percent favored Steelman. The story notes that 27 percent of Republicans were still undecided.

Reports last week indicate Hulshof is winning the fund raising battle, posting $1.4 million in donations to Steelman's $288,000.

Both Republican candidates trail Democrat Jay Nixon in the polls.

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