Paul Quinn

By Chad Day

Unlike candidates in hotly contested races, Democrat Paul Quinn said he doesn't have any specific plans for election night. He said he might attend a watch party for Democrat Judy Baker, who is running for the 9th District U.S. Congressional seat, but nothing's set in stone.

Quinn's night is likely to be a little less stressful than Baker's because he is running unopposed for his second term as 9th District state representative.

"I feel very blessed that I didn't have opposition, and I hope that it's because people think I've been doing a good job," Quinn said.

Quinn won his seat in 2006 after incumbent Democrat Wes Shoemyer vacated the seat. He had never run for state office before defeating then-Howard County Treasurer Kathyrne Harper, a Republican.

Quinn, who lives on a farm in Monroe City, served as Monroe County commissioner for 12 years before serving as assessor there for 10 years. His district includes parts of Audrain, Boone, Chariton, Howard and Monroe counties and consists largely of rural areas.

"It's a rural district that needs jobs, and providing health care is one of the most important things I've been working toward," Quinn said.

Quinn said he has focused on improving funding to rural public schools and trying to repeal Medicaid cuts made in 2005.

During his campaign in 2006, Quinn supported ethanol production and more funding for rural roads. He also opposed the sale of MOHELA assets to pay for capital projects on university campuses.