Jason Rosenbaum of the Columbia Tribune reports today in his Politics Blog that Jon Dolan is considering running for Kenny Hulshof's seat in the Ninth Congressional District. Dolan resigned his seat in Missouri’s Second Senatorial District in 2006 to become the Executive Director of the Missouri Health Care Association, a long term care trade association in the state that represents skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities and businesses serving the long term care profession. Dolan moved to Jefferson City after he quit the State Senate and no longer lives in the Ninth District, although that is not a requirement to run.
Maybe Dolan thinks the residents in this area forgot how he quit on them to take a more lucrative job in private industry, however, how can Dolan ever make a claim he is seeking public office for any reason other than his own personal gain? Of course, he could simply admit he wants the job because of the increase in pay and other "benefits."
If Dolan decides to run for office a few issues that went away when he quit may resurface. One of those issues involves allegations of a cover up involving a drug overdose death at the home of former state representative Don Kissell. Kissell's daughter was sentenced to 8 years for her role in the death. Former O'Fallon Police Chief Steve Talbott was fired by the city, in part, because of his handling of the investigation. St. Charles County Prosecutor Jack Banas criticized the O'Fallon police department's work on the case. Dolan had contact with Talbott and Kissell the day of the murder and O'Fallon officials alleged Dolan changed his story on what he was told by Talbott.
Another issue of concern with Dolan is his relationship with developer Paul McKee. McKee has been the focus of increased scrutiny because of his involvement in buying land in North St. Louis. Last year McKee's lawyers helped draft legislation which could award him 100 million dollars in tax credits. Dolan has told people how much he looks up to McKee and that he considers McKee his mentor. Up to this point McKee's influence over politics in St. Charles County has all but been ignored by the media.
Dolan can be assured that the issues he left behind when he walked out on his last job as an elected official are going to resurface if he decides to re enter the political arena. He cannot count on a complacent media to keep quiet in a high profile race for Congress, and a well financed opponent and the increased popularity of political coverage on the Internet will result in a new political world than the one Dolan left behind in 2006. I'm not sure someone with Dolan's temperament is cut out for such a race. And I don't believe we will find out.
1 comment:
Dolan is a terrible fit for the 9th district. He is arrogant, rude, hateful, spiteful, opportunistic and would do anything it it benefited his own checkbook.
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