Demo Days: Debut for 9th District hopeful
By JO MANNIES
of the St. Louis Post Dispatch
Web Posted on March 4, 2006

Until Wednesday, Duane Burghard was the chief executive for MacXprts, an independent Apple computer dealer in Columbia, Mo. He quit that job after filing as a Democratic candidate for Congress in the 9th District, a post now held by Republican Kenny Hulshof, also of Columbia.

Burghard said his bid had nothing to do with Hulshof personally, and everything to do with the political views and policies of the Bush administration - and Hulshof's "rubber stamp'' support for them.

Burghard said that, as a businessman and a father, he had to do something to challenge the policies. He cited the war in Iraq, the federal deficit, the Patriot Act and perceived threats to civil liberties.

"This is the most expansive, most intrusive government in our history, Burghard said. "The era of 'borrow and spend' has to end."

At Saturday's brunch, Burghard drew cheers when he pointed out to the 450 people packing the hall, "The last presidents to balance the budget were Clinton and Kennedy. How in the world did we let these people steal the issue of fiscal responsibility from us?"

Burghard also is a former Navy officer and served with the "Vets for Kerry" in 2004.

He faces a stiff financial challenge. The latest campaign reports showed that he had $64,202 in the bank, including a $50,000 loan from himself. Hulshof reported $383,172 in the bank, with no debts.

This story can be found online at The St. Louis Post Dispatch