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Colona wins in Missouri House raceWed, Aug 6th 2008, 09:35Intriguing Democratic contest goes to ColonaBy Todd C. Frankel
Not this year in the 67th District covering the Tower Grove neighborhood in St. Louis. In a contentious Democratic primary, lawyer Mike Colona easily emerged as the victor, despite having ties to the porn industry. Another candidate was a globe-trotting lawyer facing questions about his residency. Yet another lawyer-candidate was the race's sole woman until a mystery woman jumped in at the last-minute. That mystery candidate failed to campaign at all and moved out of state, leaving behind the suspicion she was a spoiler. These candidates were joined by a public schools activist, who — convinced he could not win and promised a job by one of his competitors — dropped out Monday. "This is a House race, for Pete's sake," lamented candidate Joan Landmann, who suspects the other woman on the ballot was planted to derail her campaign. "It's been a wild ride. And it has been interesting." Colona, the winner, ran as an abortion-rights candidate who wants to fix the city's public schools and increase access to health care. He did legal work for a pornography producer in Springfield, Ill. Colona has said his role was limited to assuring that minors were not used in the production of porn. The porn company's founder contributed to Colona's election effort. His campaign literature says he is a member of an adult entertainment trade group. That might have been a political knockout punch in some districts. And in the end, his porn ties proved to be just an embarrassing hindrance in the Tower Grove neighborhood, a resurgent south St. Louis area known for its mix of lifestyles and old homes centered on a popular park. With Tuesday night's victory, Colona should head straight to the state House with no Republican to face in the fall. The seat's incumbent, Mike Daus, is being pushed out by term limits after eight years. MCNARY WINS The lack of an incumbent also made for a fierce race in Chesterfield's 86th District Republican primary, where Cole McNary defeated five others to face Democrat Marty Ott in the fall. McNary is the son of former County Executive Gene McNary. And in another fight for an empty seat, this one in the 13th District, which includes Lake Saint Louis, Republican Chuck Gatschenberger defeated Kevin Kuhlmann. Gatschenberger faces Democrat David E. Hurst in the fall. Back in Tower Grove, Landmann finished second to Colona. A few days ago, the district was blanketed with door hangers calling Landmann a "desperate liar." It was produced by the St. Louis Firefighters Local No. 73 political action committee. Landmann said she was shocked to see "outright lies" spread in such a public way. The firefighters PAC, which endorsed Colona, did not respond to calls for comment. Rob Stelzer came in third. Colona tried to get Stelzer booted from the race, complaining to the secretary of state about Stelzer's residency. Stelzer has taught law and studied in Germany, England and Holland at times since 2001. Despite his time away, Stelzer said, he never changed his residence from his parent's home in the 67th District. Schools activist Chad Beffa on Monday threw his support behind Stelzer, who promised him an education liaison job. The most intrigue was generated by mystery woman Emily Jo Pierce. After filing for the seat, she disappeared. Her landlord said she moved back to the Chicago suburbs at least two months ago. While some blamed Colona's campaign for the spoiler subplot, Colona aide Pat Jakopchek denied any connection. He admitted he knew someone with the same name at St. Louis University, but he doubted it was the same woman. Emily Jo Pierce, whoever she is, still garnered 65 votes.
Final Results
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