93.9 The Eagle – The News and Talk of Columbia, MO
The dean of Missouri’s congressional delegation has been campaigning across his sprawling 39-county north Missouri district, as he seeks a 13th term on Capitol Hill.
U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-Tarkio) faces at least three opponents in the August GOP primary, and two Democrats have filed for the seat. Congressman Graves, who’s the powerful U.S. House Transportation Committee chairman, tells 939 the Eagle that he’s taking the race seriously, as always.
“I’m optimistic but I never take that race for granted, ever. And so we just work hard and stay on message and get out and see folks and move around the district and just like any other year,” Congressman Graves says.
He recently traveled to Jefferson City to file for re-election. Congressman Graves, a former state representative and former state senator, tells 939 the Eagle he was glad to be back in Jefferson City to see colleagues and friends.
“Well it’s always good to come in and file and get to see old friends and folks around the (Missouri) Capitol that I haven’t seen in awhile and I enjoy it. They’re all friends,” says Graves.
The district includes Moberly, Mexico and Higbee in the 939 the Eagle listening area. Two Democrats from Mexico Missouri, Erik Richardson and Rich Gold, have also filed for the seat. Northern Missouri hasn’t sent a Democrat to Capitol Hill since then-U.S. Rep. Patsy Ann Danner (D-Smithville), who retired in 2000.
