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Two area political hopefuls are giving new meaning to the phrase, “campaign trail.” Don Baragary, candidate for State Representative of Missouri’s 48th District, and Mat Freese, who …
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Two area political hopefuls are giving new meaning to the phrase, “campaign trail.” Don Baragary, candidate for State Representative of Missouri’s 48th District, and Mat Freese, who is running for Howard County Western District Commissioner, are canvasing their respective areas on horseback.
Baragary, a Republican, is the Presiding Commissioner for Cooper County. He is running for the seat currently held by Republican Dave Muntzel, who has reached his term limit.
Baragary will face fellow Republican Tim Taylor in the August 4 primary. The winner will go on to run against Bill Betteridge, the lone Democrat in the race.
Freese will take on Randy McMillan in the Republican primary. The winner will face off against the winner of the Democrat primary, Charlie Polson or Mike Vroman. The seat currently occupied by Howard McMillan.
Baragary decided in May that because of the social distancing requirements associated with COVID-19, now would not be a good time for a door-to-door campaign. Instead, he announced that he would ride the boundary of the 48th legislative district on horseback. Freese joined him on his rides through Howard County.
The virus has also caused the cancellation of parades, fairs, and other summer events at which candidates often campaign.
By Sunday, Baragary had already ridden more than 100 of his 201-mile ride that will eventually mark the perimeter of the district he hopes to represent. It marked the ninth day of riding. He and Freese set off from Roanoke shortly after 7 p.m. and made it through Armstrong and on to Fayette by 11 a.m.
He spaces out the rides, covering between 17 and 20 miles for trips that last five to six hours. He and Freese rode through Fayette that day on their horses, Hillary and Gray. Baragary also brings along a horse named Mikey, which sports a campaign sign and the American flag.
Baragary, a Republican, said the response has been overwhelming. People stand at attention with hands on hearts as he passes by with the flag. One truck driver even gave a proper military salute. “It’s a patriotic ride,” he said. “It’s something I enjoy.”
The two men finished Sunday’s ride at the junction of Highway 5 and State Route J, about four miles south of Fayette. On Tuesday they planned to ride north from Boonville through New Franklin.
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