Tommy Sowers, Democratic candidate for U.S. Representative of the 8th Congressional District, was in Dexter Saturday afternoon on Day 11 of his 28 day initiative he calls, "Boots on the Ground."

Sowers announced his candidacy for the position currently held by Jo Ann Emerson, in early September 2009. He was born and raised in Rolla and educated there before attending Duke University. He worked as a combat engineer and later studied at the London School of Economics, earning a Masters of Science in Public Policy. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in government at the London School of Economics.

Sowers spent 11 years active duty and attained the rank of Major and is a Green Beret. He served as an assistant professor at West Point's Dept. of Social Sciences from 2006-2009 before announcing his candidacy for Representative for the 8th District.

Sowers' current Boots on the Ground initiative is taking him through the 28 Missouri counties of the 8th District over a 28 day period. His tour began in Washington County on Jan. 20 and will conclude in Phelps County on Feb. 16.

His current initiative, he says, stems from lessons learned during his military career.

"In the military I learned firsthand that nothing replaced boots on the ground experience. Boots on the Ground is about working, living and listening to hardworking people in each and every county. It will give me the chance to do what most of us hope other politicians would--close their mouths, and open their ears and eyes."

Sowers says he will highlight local industry and the diversity of businesses within the 8th District. While stressing the abundance of resources, Sowers says the 8th District is "the poorest in Missouri and one of the 10 poorest in the United States."

"One in every four children is born under the poverty line," Sowers claims, "and the median income for women is the lowest out of all 435 districts It is in the bottom 10-15 percent in terms of health and primary care facilities and access to education."

Sowers says that over the last few decades, the district has suffered as jobs have been lost, factories closed and farms have consolidated.

In a news release from Sowers' campaign manager, Jonathan Feifs, it was reported the candidate raised $179,127 during the fourth quarter of 2009. Ninety-eight percent of that amount, according to Feifs, consisted of contributions from individuals and not corporate entities.

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