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Cynthia Davis is has been popular in the 19th district, O’Fallon. Unbeatable, in fact. Partly that’s because she’s such an effective campaigner. When she’s out there going door to door, she can make with the small talk like nobody else. Even Democrats report voting for her because she’s so friendly. Friendly? Maybe. But one man’s friendly is another man’s smarmy. I wince when I hear a woman emote, “I just love your house“.
Regardless of how you judge her personal style, though, the hard truth for Cynthia is that, as of 2010, she’s termed out. She’s thinking of running for auditor, but the idea of a win in that race, especially in light of her current toxicity, is so far fetched it’s almost cute. And the loss of her salary as a state rep is going to be a serious financial blow, because the income from the Christian bookstore she and her husband run is unlikely to feed them and their seven children.
So she wants her husband Bernie to run for the state rep seat and has been trotting the idea out to anyone who might listen, even though there are two Republicans in the district who have already formed committees for the job. Bernie Davis would have name recognition going for him, but other than that, he’d be one sorry candidate. I wasn’t kind about Cynthia’s personal style, but at least she has one, and it has served her well. The report I get is that her husband has less charisma than unpainted drywall–both one-on-one and in front of a group. But wait. I’ve got the solution to their problem. She can leave him at home in charge of the kids and do all his campaigning for him.
Running against him–or whoever wins the R primary–will be Matt Simmons. Simmons is a fortyish guy who has done his time in the trenches, serving on the Hazelwood school board and currently as chairman of the St. Charles County Ambulance District and as Boone Township Democratic Committeeman.
Simmons is already getting the support he needs for a successful run for office. The St. Charles County Democrats had a fundraising BBQ for him earlier this month. And, AND, he will be the beneficiary of funds that have been earmarked for Democrats running for open seats that have been held by Republicans. There’s money available for those seats in this all important effort to take the majority in the State House in 2010. Governor Nixon wants to use the political capital that he is still enjoying from the November 2008 election, and he’s glad to use it in hopes of moving the House over to his side of the fence.
Work is already in progress on Simmons’ website, and he’s getting professional advice on how to run the campaign. Early donations to his campaign are already coming in. This is the kind of help that normally doesn’t materialize before the spring of election year.
O’Fallon is going to be interesting to watch. If primary voters go for the familiar Davis name, the contest would boil down to a choice between a sane Democrat and the spouse of a “birther“, “let them eat McDonalds” Wacko. I say, if you’re going to offer voters a Wacko, at least let people have the real McCoy, not just a colorless imitation.
Is he a credible candidate? Can he string together a decent speech with plausible policy statements and a little charisma? Can he raise money?
Matt Simmons is a very credible candidate. Along with his own run for school board and ambulance district, He’s been a campaign volunteer for many years and he helped out in the 19th races in 2004 and again in 2006, both losing years for us, but Matt gained a lot of knowledge of the district. Matt has charisma and does well in a social setting. Last month at our St. Charles County First Capitol dinner, Governor Nixon introduced Matt and told the crowd that Matt is the ONE for the 19th. Matt Simmons will get the full support from Jeff City, but he’ll still need plenty of local support.
Matt is right on the issues and will be able to speak in public. He’s working on raising money now, but he’s having the same trouble everyone else is…………..not that many people right now have much EXTRA money. He’ll be out this weekend at the O’Fallon Freedom and Heritage Fest parade where Cynthia always has a very large presence and an over-the-top float with costumes.