Johnson, Hegeman to seek state Senate seat

Both men told the St. Joseph News-Press that conversations with family and friends factored heavily into their decisions.

Mr. Johnson represents Andrew County and a part of St. Joseph. He has been elected twice to the House seat.

The announcement came a few days after Rep. Casey Guernsey, who had laid the groundwork for a Senate run, decided not to enter the race.

Mr. Johnson said in a statement Monday that he would fight to create jobs, revise state tax policy and promote agriculture.

“I’m running because we need a proven conservative leader with business experience who will stand up to the special interests and lobbyists in Jefferson City,” Mr. Johnson said. “I’ve given it a lot of thought.”

The representative has served as a former captain with the St. Joseph Fire Department. In the Missouri House, he serves as chairman of the Emerging Issues in Agriculture Committee.

Under Missouri election law, Mr. Johnson can only file for the Senate seat and cannot run for re-election to his 9th District House seat.

“I believe I’ve got a conservative candidate” to support for the seat that will be opening in the 9th District, he said. However, he declined to identify that person, whom he said he’s been speaking with for less than a week.

Mr. Johnson and his wife, Tara, have two daughters and live in Andrew County.

Mr. Hegeman is the president of the Andrew County Farm Bureau and is part-owner of a row crop and cattle farm in the area. He formerly worked as the Andrew County clerk. He is community affairs manager for Kansas City Power & Light’s North District.

Agriculture is the primary driver of the region’s economy, according to Mr. Hegeman, who vowed to practice “common-sense conservatism” if elected.

“Farming’s been in my blood, and it’s still in my blood. No matter who you are, you depend on it three times a day,” he said. “We need more farmers who understand the importance of this issue in the Capitol. I’m excited about this opportunity. That passion is still there.”

He and his wife, Fran, live near Cosby, Mo., with their two youngest children. The couple also has two older children.

A choice in favor of family drove Mr. Hegeman to refrain from entering the state Senate race that Mr. Lager won in 2006. By state law, he is no longer eligible to compete for a House seat but could potentially serve a maximum of two Senate terms totaling eight years.

The filing period for state legislative and other seats in Missouri runs from Feb. 25 through March 25.