The 2018 midterm elections have nearly arrived and The Hilltop Monitor is going to have a series of articles previewing elections in the local area. We have previewed statewide races for U.S. Congress, Kansas City mayoral races and ballot initiatives, and now we are going to preview the rest of the ballot for Liberty, Missouri. The following is a review of the Nov. 6 ballot for the district in which William Jewell College resides.
Republican Doug Richey and Democrat Abby Zavos are running for Missouri State House Representative for the 38th district in Missouri. Richy is a pastor who emphasizes his desire to protect the Constitution, promote free-market principles, foster robust educational opportunities and promote public safety through support of first responders. Zavos is a self-employed jewelry designer who emphasizes her desire to increase funding for public schools over private school vouchers, increase infrastructure funding, increase jobs, establish affordable healthcare, support renewable energy to combat climate change and ensure equal rights for all.
In the race for state auditor, the primary candidates are Democratic incumbent Nicole Galloway and Republican Saundra McDowell. Galloway is campaigning on her record of running the office under budget and promises of delivering results to taxpayers, protecting privacy and representing all Missourians. McDowell is campaigning on pro-Trump ideas and on seeking justice and transparency from the auditory office. Also running for auditor are Green Party candidate Don Fitz, Constitution Party candidate Jacob Luetkemeyer and Libertarian Sean O’Toole.
In the race for Clay County recorder of deeds, Republican incumbent Katee Porter is running against Democrat Bruce Cantwell. Porter is campaigning on her record and on professionalism, accountability, financial responsibility and transparency. Information on Cantwell’s campaign is limited.
Republican Victor S. Hurlbert is the only candidate running for Clay County auditor. Hurlbert is a financial advisor with a masters in theology.
Republican incumbent Megan Thompson is running against Democrat Tom Brandom for Clay County clerk. Republican incumbent Lydia McEvoy is running unopposed for Clay County collector of revenue.
In the race for Clay County presiding commissioner, Republican Jerry Nolte is running against Democrat Wendi Bridges.
Democratic incumbent Daniel White is running unopposed for Clay County prosecuting attorney.
Also on the ballot is the Missouri Constitutional Amendment 1, which would change the way in which districts are reapportioned. The wording of the proposed amendment is as follows:
Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to: change process and criteria for redrawing state legislative districts during reapportionment; change limits on campaign contributions that candidates for state legislature can accept from individuals or entities; establish a limit on gifts that state legislators, and their employees, can accept from paid lobbyists; prohibit state legislators, and their employees, from serving as paid lobbyists for a period of time; prohibit political fundraising by candidates for or members of the state legislature on State property; and require legislative records and proceedings to be open to the public? State governmental entities estimate annual operating costs may increase by $189,000. Local governmental entities expect no fiscal impact.
The complicated amendment has caused some polarization, and proponents are generally on the left, while opponents are generally on the right.
“Supporters of the amendment say it would improve the Legislature’s transparency and integrity, reduce the influence of lobbyists, end a ‘revolving door’ between legislators and lobbyists and improve the redistricting process so more districts would be competitive in elections,” according to vote411.com. “Opponents say the proposed changes would harm the ability of interest groups to advocate and not result in more fairly-drawn legislative districts. They also say too much power would be given to the state auditor, who would refer three applicants for the demographer position for selection by legislative leaders. They also complain that the measure contains too many issues and will be confusing to voters.”
Missouri Constitutional Amendment 4 proposes changing language of the Constitution to remove an unenforceable provision about bingo advertising and would allow a member of an organization to participate in managing the games after six months membership. The current requirement is two years.
The rest of the issues on the ballot include judicial retention of Missouri Supreme Court judge W. Brent Powell; Missouri Supreme Court judge Mary Rhodes Russell; Missouri Court of Appeals Western District judge Edward R. Ardini, Jr.; Associate Circuit Judge 7th Judicial Circuit Division No. 5 David P. Chamberlain; Associate Circuit Judge 7th Judicial Circuit Division No. 6 Karen Lee Krauser; and associate Circuit Judge 7th Judicial Circuit Division No. 9 Tim Flook.
A sample ballot for Liberty, Missouri, can be found here. Don’t forget to vote Nov. 6 as every voice is important, and you have a right to take part in our democracy, despite the difficulty of voting for college students.
Photo courtesy of KFVS12.
