Potosi man running on Republican ticket

By SHERRY GREMINGER
Daily Journal Managing Editor

Published: Saturday, October 17, 2009
Updated: Saturday, October 17, 2009 8:06 AM CDT

POTOSI — Paul Fitzwater, a Potosi teacher, track and field coach and small businessman, has announced he will enter the race for state representative for the 152nd District.

The 152nd District includes Iron County and parts of Reynolds, Shannon and Washington counties.

The seat is currently held by Rep. John C. Kuessner, a Democrat, who was first elected in November of 2002.

In addition to his other duties, Fitzwater has owned and operated Fitzwater and Son Concrete for 26 years and has also served as a sports referee for 28 years.

He is running on the Republican ticket and has received support from Missouri Eighth District U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson, R -Cape Girardeau, and Third District State Senator Kevin Engler, R-Farmington.

“I’m excited about Paul. It’s refreshing to see someone with the common sense conservative values he has running for office. The voters of the 152nd can rely on Paul to fight against things like higher taxes, government run healthcare and the corrupt ‘bail out’ mentality that pose threats to our values in Southeast Missouri once he is elected,” Engler said.

Emerson added, “Paul Fitzwater is the kind of person we need representing rural Missouri in the state legislature. The views he will bring to the legislature will be based on his many years of experience both as a small businessman and as an educator.”

Fitzwater said he expects the same topics to dominate the state legislature as dominate national politics and says he will approach them all with honesty.

“I think we need to be able to have better trust in our elected officials and a big part of that is just being honest with people even if it means you may disagree,” he said.

He likens political disagreements to refereeing and said, “In my 28 years as a referee, coaches have not always agreed with my calls. You know you listen to what both sides have to say, but in the end you call it like you see it.”

Fitzwater lives in Potosi with his wife Sandy. The couple has four children and two grandchildren.

Sherry Greminger is managing editor for the Daily Journal and may be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 115 or at sgreminger@dailyjournalonline.com

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