Incumbent faces a neighbor in the race in HD 89

Neighbors are vying for the seat in House District 89 this year.

Gary Gollehon, who has a mailing address in Brady, is the Democratic challenger to incumbent Republican John Witt, whose address is in Carter. The two farm near each other in the area between the two towns. The district covers parts of Liberty, Chouteau and Hill counties.

Witt, a two-term representative, said identifying the top issue for the 2003 Legislature is easy.

"Everybody's going to answer the first one correct: the budget," he said. "The $250 million to $300 million shortfall. I think that's number one on the agenda."

Wit...