Meet Andria Danine Simckes

Democrats at the State Convention in Columbia this weekend had one common question:  "Is that Andria Simckes?"

The answer is 'yes'. 

Andria Simckes is the tall, warm, articulate, qualified candidate seeking the State Treasurers slot on the Democratic ticket with the small crowds of democrats forming around her.  She's the one everyone is watching. 

Written off by Party Insiders, Simckes has taken advantage of Powell's rising gas bill and Zweifel's legislative duties to stop at democratic club meetings across the state for the last few weeks -and it's working.  She's winning the 'hearts and minds' of Missouri Democratic voters. 

Typically an Andria Simckes speech begins with Andria politely re-introducing herself, because as a true political outsider, the insiders don't know her, emcee usually mispronounces her name.  Andria takes the audience through her biography - focusing on her management of large budgets, her experience in Economic Development with the Caring Communities Initiative, and yes insiders, her close relationship with Mel Carnahan.  After a three minute stump speech, there is no question that Andria Simckes is qualified to be Missouri's State Treasurer.  Then Andria turns her warm tone to her family and her children.  A mother's closing to a states(wo)man's speech. 

And when she finishes - as politely as she started - the crowd watchers her every step back to her seat and often will move from their seat to the one next to hers to say hello while the other candidates speak.  Everyone wants their few moments with Andria Simckes - and she's happy to spend it with them. 

Simckes has employed a top shelf staff with strong Missouri ties - some from the 90's Carnahan Team - the full support of her husband and children, and a growing number of activitists and political players from across the state.  

In a Missouri Primary - where a huge bloc of votes is African American, and a bigger bloc is female - Mark Powell will not be driving his minivan to the General Election and Clint Zwiefel is going to need more than just an MBA and a Teamsters Card. 

Andria Simckes has an opportunity.  Now is the time for her to seize it.