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A Legislative Newcomer Considers Running for Secretary of State

March 2, 1999
By: Missy Shelton
State Capital Bureau

A freshman legislator from northern Greene county says he's considering a run for secretary of state.

K-S-M-U's Missy Shelton is in Jefferson City and she has the latest.

Story:Shelton
RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

He's a relatively new face in the capitol building...at least to some who weren't around during the mid 80's when his father Roy Blunt was Secretary of State and he was just a teenager.

Now that teenager's all grown up and at 28 years old, Matt Blunt's starting out as a freshman legislator in the Missouri House just like his grandfather Leroy Blunt did 20 years ago...but Rep Matt Blunt says it's his father's footsteps he might follow.

He's considering making a run for Secretary of State, the office his father held before becoming a United States Congressman.

Rep Matt Blunt says he sees his family ties as beneficial.

Actuality:Blunt
RunTime: 6:05-6:44
OutCue:
Contents: Matt Blunt says, "Part of the reason I know so much about this office is because for the four years I was in high school in Missouri, my father held it. I constantly saw him deal with all the different parts of the office. It's a complicated organization. So I think that experience does help. I've been to every county in Missouri because of my family's background. I've met people of all walks of life. Been to many towns and communities throughout the state. I think that probably does affect it...It would probably be silly to say it didn't."

Rep Matt Blunt says some people are surprised to discover he might run for Sec of State...after all, he's just staring out, he doesn't have to deal with the reality of term limits yet.

Lieutenant Governor Roger Wilson announced Monday he would not seek re-election.

He says he wants lawmakers who will have to leave office in two years because of term limits to have an opportunity to continue serving the state by becoming lt gov.

Rep Blunt says term limits are not a consideration in his decision.

Actuality:Blunt
RunTime: 2:09-2:22
OutCue:
Contents: Matt Blunt says "Some people have asked why I'm running because I don't have to worry about term limits. I'm not in this just to have a job. So I'm not worried about just having a job when I'm done here. I want to make a difference in state government. It's a potential opportunity I'm considering."

Rep Blunt says several people though he won't say who approached him about running for Sec of State soon after he won his seat in the House.

And Rep Blunt says as he's pondered what to do he's found encouraging words from many people he's talked to.

Actuality:Blunt
RunTime: 3:45-4:13
OutCue:
Contents: Matt Blunt says, "They think there are significant problems and we need to try to protect the electoral process and they thought I could carry that message to the voters and I was certainly flattered they were interested in me doing that. At that point I began to seriously consider doing it. I've also sought out a broad spectrum of people from across the state to see what they think and have continued to receive positive feedback."

Positive feedback or not, Rep Matt Blunt says there are a number of things to consider.

Actuality:
RunTime:
OutCue:
Contents: Matt Blunt says, "Certainly there's a lot of family decisions involved and there's a lot of personal decisions involved."

Rep Matt Blunt says he will reach a decision in the next two to three months if not sooner.

We'll have the latest on this and other important issues from the state capitol.

From Jefferson City, I'm Missy Shelton for K-S-M-U.