Candidates for the Missouri House of Representatives District 60 seat agree on one thing: They aren't in the race for money, recognition or anything that uplifts their egos. They're in it for the people they wish to serve.
Lawmakers serve two-year terms and are asked to be in the Capitol for about five months -- from early January to May. The position pays $35,915 per year. Representatives also receive $121 per day in per diem pay.
The district generally follows Jefferson City lines, except it excludes North Jefferson City (north of the Missouri River) and a portion of the city south of U.S. 50 and West of Missouri 179.
The incumbent, Rep. Dave Griffith, a Republican, and former U.S. Army Green Beret, acted as executive director for the American Red Cross for about six years. He served on City Council for Jefferson City and spent 23 years working for a television station in several roles. He is married to Leigh. they have two children and five grandchildren.
Griffith has served four years in the House of Representatives.
He is challenged by newcomer J. Don Salcedo, an 80-year-old retiree who spent his entire 40-year career in education. He is married and has six children, nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
The men couldn't be farther apart politically. Salcedo sees the state having extra revenue as an opportunity to catch up in places where it has fallen short.
Salcedo strongly opposed the tax cuts Griffith and his colleagues passed during the recent special session. Salcedo said the state has too much long-overdue maintenance on water, sewer, roads and other infrastructure waiting for repairs to pass up a chance to get updates completed while revenue is available.
"I want my grandchildren and great-grandchildren to have opportunity; Missouri can do better if we correct some of these deficiencies we have," he said.
Griffith, on the other hand, looks at the extra revenue as a chance to give Missouri residents a tax break. He said the tax bill that lawmakers passed Thursday will benefit the state.
"It is really clean," he said. "It is for everyone in the state of Missouri -- not just for the wealthy and corporations. Every taxpayer is going to have relief."
Additional election coverage:
Dave Griffith
J. Don Salcedo