The election cycle is heating up in the closing weeks before election day – especially in several key races in Missouri and Kansas. In Missouri, Republican Gov. Mike Parson is holding a steady lead over Democratic challenger Nicole Gallaway. A poll from St. Louis University has Parson with a six-point lead over Gallaway, with 3.6 percent of voters undecided. 

Parson became the governor in 2018 when former Gov. Eric Grietens resigned due to sexual misconduct allegations and campaign finance law violations. Gallaway has been the auditor for Missouri since 2015. While she was the auditor, Gallaway discovered over 350 million dollars of wasted or stolen tax money. She also brought criminal charges against offenders from both parties and has called herself an “independent watchdog.” Gallaway’s New Way Plan would make healthcare cheaper, increase transparency of the tax system and improve the quality of public education in Missouri.

Parson has tried to portray himself as the hometown governor. Throughout the campaign, he has talked about his history of having a great work ethic while working in the local Missouri government. Parson and his administration have touted the low unemployment rate and low income taxes during his tenure. Parson has said that he prevented the health care system from being overwhelmed during the pandemic and opened the economy early to save businesses in Missouri.

Galloway has been very critical of Parson’s response to COVID-19. Parson, who tested positive for the coronavirus in late September, has been an outspoken opponent to a mask mandate in Missouri, claiming that it is a violation of personal liberties. While campaigning, Parson has said that he has helped Missourians throughout the pandemic. Parson has said that there have been positive results from his COVID-19 response. About Parson’s pandemic response, Galloway has said, “This has been a failed test of leadership.” 

There are two constitutional amendments on the ballot for Missouri in 2020. Amendment 1, if passed, would expand term limits in the State Executive branch. Currently, the two-term limit only applies to the governor and the treasurer. The proposed amendment would create a two-term limit on the lieutenant-governor, the state auditor, the secretary of state and the attorney general. The second proposed amendment, Amendment 3, would bring changes to redistricting, lobbying and campaign finance laws in Missouri. The measure would “eliminate the nonpartisan state demographer and use a bipartisan commission appointed by the governor again for legislative redistricting, alter the criteria used to draw district maps, change the threshold of lobbyists’ gifts from $5 to $0, and lower the campaign contribution limit for state senate campaigns from $2,500 to $2,400.” 

In Clay County, there is a proposed amendment to the county constitution. The amendment would prohibit lawmakers from being able to vote on their pay increases. It would also allow for officeholders to be recalled from office and would set a limit on public debt. The amendment would additionally create a citizen review commission for all future constitutional amendments. 

In Missouri’s 6th district, which encompasses Liberty, incumbent Republican congressman Sam Graves is running against Democratic nominee Gena Ross and Libertarian candidate John Higgins. Graves has been the representative for the Missouri 6th since 2001 and most recently won in 2018 with 65.4 percent of the vote. The district is classified as “Solid Republican” by The Cook Political Report.

Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley and U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill debated in St. Louis.

The 2018 midterms were atypical for several reasons – not only were they the most expensive midterm elections in United States history but voter numbers were record-high as the Democrats took the House and the Republicans retained control of the Senate.

Locally several ballot initiatives were passed, records were broken and new representatives were elected as several incumbents were voted out of office.

Missouri

In Missouri Josh Hawley (R) defeated incumbent Claire McCaskill (D) to represent the state in the Senate. Support for Hawley, who received 51.5 percent of the vote came mostly from rural areas, whereas McCaskill – who received 45.5 percent of the vote – fared better in cities.

Map of Senate election results in Missouri. Courtesy of The New York Times.

A self-proclaimed “constitutional conservative,” Hawley has served as the Attorney General for Missouri since 2017 and has built a reputation as an advocate for religious liberty and reduced government. Hawley has been involved in lawsuits against several prominent companies, including search engine Google and drug companies Purdue Pharma, Endo Health Solutions and Janssen Pharmaceuticals.

Endorsed by a number of conservative groups – including the Senate Conservatives Fund, the Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund and the National Rifle Association, Hawley is a strict believer in traditionally right-wing ideals.

Hawley believes both the Affordable Care Act and abortion are unconstitutional and that human trafficking can be blamed on the women’s sexual revolution of the 1960s. He has been endorsed by President Donald J. Trump and has vocally supported the current administration’s actions, including implementing a child-separation policy at the Southern border, the impositions of trade-tariffs and the appointment of Brett Kavanaugh to the supreme court.

Hawley will serve on the Senate as the representative for Missouri for the next six years and will be up for re-election in 2024. He will serve alongside Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), who will be up for re-election in 2022.

The other elected representatives of Mo are:

State Auditor: Nicole Galloway, D

And, for the House of Representatives:

Within Clay County, in which William Jewell College is located, several ballot initiatives passed.

Amendment 1 passed with 62 percent of the vote – thereby restricting the value of campaign contributions that candidates can accept from individuals or entities and mandating that legislative records and proceedings be open to the public.

With 65.5 percent of the vote, Amendment 2 passed legalizing marijuana for medical purposes with a 4 percent tax. Revenue collected from this tax will be dedicated to health care services for veterans. While Amendment 2 passed, Amendment 3 and Proposition 2  – both seeking to legalize medical marijuana  – both failed.

With 52.4 percent of the vote, Amendment 4 passed removing language limiting bingo game advertising and enabling members of licensed organizations to manage games after only six months, as opposed to the currently enforced two years.

Proposition B passed with 62.3 percent of the vote, decreeing that the minimum wage will be immediately raised to $8.60 and increased by 0.85 cents per hour annually until 2023, when the state minimum wage will be $12.00 per hour. This proposition also exempted government employers from the wage increases and increased the penalties for paying employees less than the minimum wage.

Proposition D, a 2.5 cent per gallon gas tax to be imposed for four years beginning July 1, 2019 to raise money to prepare roads within the state, failed to pass with only 46.4 percent voting in favor.

Kansas

The Senate seat in Kansas was not up for grabs in this year’s midterm election and incumbents Pat Roberts (R)  and Jerry Moran (R) will be up for re-election in 2020 and 2022, respectively.

For the House of Representatives:

The election of Sharice Davids (D) from the third district broke records as  – along with Deb Haaland (D) from New Mexico  –  she will be the first Native American woman elected to Congress. Additionally, Davids is the first openly LGBT member of Congress elected in Kansas.

In a contentious race, Democrat Laura Kelly was elected as the governor of Kansas, defeating Republican nominee Kris Kobach. Incumbent Sam Brownback (R) was unable to run for re-election due to term limits, however, he may run again in 2022.

Incumbent Derek Schmidt (R) was elected to be the Attorney General of Kansas with 59.3 percent of the vote, Scott Schwab (R) was elected to be the Secretary of State with 52.9 percent and incumbent Jack LaTurner (R) was elected to be the Treasurer with 58.1 percent.

No measures were listed on the Kansas ballot in this year’s midterm election.

Photo courtesy of Carolina Hidalgo/St. Louis Public Radio.