Agricultural interests are being highlighted in the Missouri Secretary of State’s race this week.
Republican nominee Shane Schoeller is conducting a “Farm Values Tour” across the state, in which he’s reviving memories of the recent battle over dog breeding regulations. He says his Democratic opponent, Jason Kander, would follow in Robin Carnahan’s footsteps in writing ballot summaries that could greatly harm farmers who also breed dogs.
“Our current Secretary of State...used a politically-charged term, ‘puppy mill' (when writing Proposition B)," Schoeller said. "When national groups like the Humane Society of the United States begin to come in to Missouri and impose their values upon Missouri voters, it’s very important that they have someone who’s gonna be unbiased and write fair ballot summaries and titles.”
A state law last year removed the phrase “puppy mill” and did away with the cap of 50 dogs per breeder.
Schoeller kicked off his Farm Values Tour in Jefferson City today, and also had stops scheduled in Mexico, Mo., Laddonia, Montgomery City, Warrenton and Owensville. On Tuesday, he’s scheduled to make appearances in Mt. Vernon, Carthage and Seneca.
In response, a spokesman for Jason Kander issued the following statement:
"We agree that this race is about trust and who Missouri voters believe has the courage to do what’s right - an Army veteran or a career politician. Jason Kander signed up for the Army after September 11th, volunteered to fight for our country in Afghanistan, and is now a leader in fighting to reform Missouri’s ethics and campaign laws. Shane Schoeller, meanwhile, is a longtime political operative. Simply put, Jason Kander will be fair to all Missourians and run a nonpartisan office, while Shane Schoeller has consistently pledged to be a partisan Secretary of State and stick up only for his friends."
