A former St. Joseph newspaperman challenging a St. Joseph doctor took the race for the 28th House District to Savannah, Mo., Thursday night.

Democrat Mark Sheehan opened the doors to his Andrew County campaign headquarters, located in the south side of the square in downtown Savannah.

Roughly 50 people showed up to support the political newcomer in his effort to defeat the incumbent, Rep. Rob Schaaf, a Republican.

“A lot of people are here because you want change,” Mr. Sheehan told the crowd.

A political-cartoon-like rendering of the News-Press’ former Opinion page editor’s face splashed posters and the yellow T-shirts of supporters.

Mr. Sheehan said he’d use the Savannah site to make it more convenient for him to visit with Andrew County voters and so it would be easier for them to reach him.

“He’s going to listen to you and by God that’s better than what you’ve been used to for the past six years,” Rep. Ed Wildberger, D-St. Joseph, said.

Mr. Wildberger and Rep. Martin Rucker, D-St. Joseph, are uncontested in their re-election bids to the Missouri House of Representatives.

“It just seems like a headquarters is a little overkill for a state rep race,” Dr. Schaaf told the News-Press Wednesday night at the opening of Buchanan County’s Republican headquarters.

Dr. Schaaf said his phone number is available to residents if they need to reach him and that he has made himself available during town-hall-style meetings in both Andrew and Buchanan counties during the legislative sessions.

Dr. Schaaf’s phone number is listed as (816) 279-7917

Mr. Sheehan said he plans to open another headquarters in Buchanan County soon.