Caldwell, Higdon face off for open 29th District seat

With State Representative Martin Rucker running for the State Senate, the 29th Missouri House district seat which encompasses southern Buchanan and northern Platte Counties is an open contest pitting Democrat Bill Caldwell against Republican Galen Higdon. Both candidates bring a long history of community involvement in and outside of their respective careers.

Caldwell, 65, of Dearborn, is a 46-year veteran of Trans World Airlines and American Airlines where he has held a variety of positions within those organizations including opportunities to work with NASA on the Apollo 11 launch team, the city of New York in the aftermath of the tragic crash of TWA Flight 800, and other projects in cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration. Along with activities related to his work at TWA, he has been an advocate on the state level for workers’ rights and workforce development. Caldwell distinguishes himself as a moderate Democrat with conservative stances on gun control and fiscal issues. Bill and his wife, Marie, have been married for 44 years and have one daughter.

Bill Caldwell

“I think my experiences of working at many different jobs for my employers over the years, gives me a perspective that makes me the best candidate,” Caldwell said. “I have held many positions of trust and have worked all over the world for TWA having received many awards from my employer as well as outside the company.”

Higdon resides in St. Joseph and is recently retired after a 30-year career as a deputy of the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department and has been active in specialized law enforcement education throughout his career. He served as a member and later Vice-President of the Missouri Sheriff’s Association as well as a member of the Mo-Kan Regional Council of Government Transportation Advisory Committee. Higdon says he has a conservative approach with a desire for smaller government. Galen and his wife, Lou Anne, have been married for 36 years and have three daughters along with four grandchildren.

Galen Higdon

“I have spent my entire life serving the residents of the community as a law enforcement officer,” Higdon said. “I saw another opportunity to serve the people of my community, and decided to announce my candidacy to fight for the citizens of the 29th District in Jefferson City.”

The candidates’ top issues parallel closely their careers. Higdon’s work in the public safety field makes it one of his top concerns, but his belief that education should be the top priority in the state legislature is something that has earned him support from the Missouri State Teachers Association. Overall, Higdon says he would represent the interests of his constituents.

“I would work to become a vocal leader who fights for the interests of Platte and Buchanan Counties in the State legislature,” Higdon said. “I do not have a specific agenda going into this election and would focus my efforts on working for the betterment of the citizens of the 29th District.”

On the other side, while Caldwell believes education is a priority and has earned the endorsement of Missouri Association of School Administrators, he thinks the tough economic times call for work on economic recovery and job creation.

“This would be a continuation of my work on the Northwest Missouri Workforce Development Board which I have served on for many years,” Caldwell said of his background in economic development.

Two distinguished careers in their respective fields leave voters with a decision between two long-time residents of the area, both with experiences that have shaped their view of the purpose and role of government, along with dedicated time spent in the community outside of their careers.