04.23.2008 2:36 pm

Dem primary for treasurer now a St. Louis-only affair

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The disqualification of former Kansas City Mayor Charlie Wheeler from the state treasurer race means that the Democratic contest for the position will be a strictly local affair.

Wheeler, who served as K.C. mayor in the 1970s and State Senator until last year, was one of 14 candidates kicked off the ballot Monday for failure to file a financial disclosure form.

That leaves three contenders for the Democratic nomination, all from the St. Louis area: Andria Simckes, from Creve Coeur; State Rep. Clint Zweifel, from Florissant; and Mark Powell, mayor of Arnold.

The winner will likely face State Sen. Brad Lager, a Republican from northwest Missouri who has already made it clear he has no problem being the outsider.