We expect to see several candidates of a political party filing to run for a Missouri House or Senate seat when the seat is soon to be vacant or is occupied by a member of another party. But we don’t often see challenges from within the party ranks. We’re seeing one this year in the 2^nd State Senate District as incumbent Republican Senator Scott Rupp must defend against State Representative Cynthia Davis.

Davis, who made the rounds at the Lincoln Days weekend in St. Charles to promote her candidacy, acknowledges there are concerns within the Republican Party over her challenge. In an interview with The Missouri Record, Davis said she does not see it as a negative to highlight differences between herself and Rupp on the issues.

“Why is it a negative to talk about our principles and our values?” asks Davis. “That’s a positive. I’ve got nothing to hide. My voting record is strong and clear. He [Rupp] has got a lot to be ashamed of.”

While she is critical of Rupp, Davis has come in for a lot of criticism of her own. She has come under fire, especially in the left wing blogs, for being involved in what is known as the birther movement - the questioning of whether President Barack Obama was born in the United States and is constitutionally allowed to serve as Commander in Chief.

“They’re trying to create shame for people who ask questions,” replies Davis. “That defines the problem right there. Why is there shame in asking questions? It’s a legitimate question and Barack Obama has spent over a million dollars to try and not answer it. If I wanted to answer a question I’d show you my birth certificate if you cared that I was born in Chicago. Obviously, he’s embarrassed of where he’s born because he’s trying to hide the records.”

The Obama birth certificate controversy will not be the focus of the Davis campaign. The big concern for Davis is that Rupp is not a true conservative.

“He’s all talk and no walk,” said Davis. “Actions speak louder than words and his actions show that he’s not a conservative.”