State Senator Chuck Purgason (R-Caulfield) is considering a run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacate by Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond (R-MO).
Purgason has announced he is starting an exploratory committee regarding that possible U.S. Senate bid, adding he is one of many Missourians who are unhappy that America is not keeping its fiscal house in order.
"Someone has to cut up the federal government credit card," said Purgason in an interview with the Missourinet. "In state government we have a balanced budget – the thirteen years that I’ve been in the Legislature we actually spend what we have coming in. We don’t put our grandchildren at risk of spending their inheritance."
Purgason acknowledges he has not spent a lot of time thinking about this possible run, but he realizes there is a lot of concern regarding the direction in which the country is headed and he believes he should at least consider stepping up.
"It’s a decision that I’ll make after I get out and talk to people and find out what kind of support – and I will be surprised if there’s not a lot of people that just cannot agree that we need to face some tough decisions in order for this country to survive."
Southwest Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt (R-MO) is the only announced Republican in the race, so far. Purgason won’t criticize Blunt, but believes a new approach might be just what the doctor ordered.
"I think that people need to look at candidates and find out what they stand on," said Purgason. "I have a thirteen year voting record … Congressman Blunt has a voting record. And, you know, sometimes you just get frustrated and think that, you know, we just need to go in a different direction."
Purgason served eight years in the Missouri House before being elected to the State Senate in 2002. He is term limited and has one year remaining in the General Assembly.
Download/Listen: Steve Walsh interviews Senator Chuck Purgason (7:00 MP3)
