While reading Matt Franker's letter endorsing his former boss, Bob Behnen, in last week's Index, I found myself agreeing with only one point: that the next state representative needs to be "intelligent, thoughtful and caring." From my experience interning with Charley Cooper, the challenger in this election, he perfectly meets the previously mentioned criteria. Cooper is the type of person to always put the needs of others before his own.

What I don't agree with is the belief that Bob Behnen did a good job representing us, especially Truman. Since Franker is a graduate, he may not know that all current students had to pay a $100 surcharge as the result of a vote by his former boss. His former boss voted against the use of the Rainy Day Fund, which cost our University $3.8 million and prevented any of the staff from receiving raises.

Why would he vote this way? Good question. As Franker noted, the incumbent is interested in a leadership position within the Republican Party, and in turn he has to vote with them on key issues. The House Republicans tried to strike a deal with the governor. In return for their support of the Rainy Day Fund, Gov. Holden would back off on proposed business taxes. When the governor didn't back down, Republicans killed the proposed use of the Rainy Day Fund.

I think the Second District needs a man who won't put his future in politics before the future of the people in the district. Cooper is not another career politician. Unlike Behnen, Cooper's campaign committee is not registered with the Kirksville Chamber of Commerce like other businesses. If elected, Cooper still will be one of the nicest guys around. He will continue to work on his family farm. Most importantly, he will put the Second District first.

Ross Macholan

junior

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