Clay County voters elect Democratic lawmaker to competitive open Missouri Senate seat

Maggie Nurrenbern was elected on Tuesday to represent Missouri Senate District 17, a competitive open seat in Clay County.

As of 10 p.m. she had 51% of the vote, with 82 of 82 precincts reporting, according to the Clay County Board of Elections. Her Republican opponent, Clay County Presiding Commissioner Jerry Nolte received 45% of the vote. The totals were close, with Nurrenbern earning 44,582 votes, and Nolte 39,568.

“When I started this race, I recognized how important it was for a Democrat to represent Clay County and district 17 to be a voice of moderation and negotiation in the Missouri Senate,” she said. “I’m so glad that they were able to recognize that and send me to the Missouri Senate to be that voice. “

Nurrenbern will fill the vacant seat after Sen. Lauren Arthur, a Democrat, did not run for reelection due to term limits.

District 17 is in southwestern Clay County and encompasses parts of Kansas City, North Kansas City, Birmingham, Avondale, Claycomo and Gladstone.

Nurrenbern, a Democrat, represented District 15 in the Missouri House. She was first elected in 2020. Before being elected to the Missouri House, Nurrenbern was a teacher. She taught at North Kansas City High School and at University Academy.

During her time in the Missouri House, Nurrenbern sponsored legislation to remove taxes charged for feminine products and diapers. She has long advocated for more firearm regulations in the state and supports abortion rights, which Missourians voted to protect on Tuesday.

“We know that passing Amendment 3 is the very first step,” Nurrenbern said. “The second step is making sure that we have legislators, we’re going to uphold the will of voters and I told voters from day one that I would be that voice to uphold their will in the Missouri Senate, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do. “

Her opponent, Nolte, served on the Clay County Commission since 2015. During his campaign for Missouri Senate, Nolte voiced his support for tax relief for residents, harsher immigration policies, support of law enforcement and more working-class jobs,

Nolte and Platte County Presiding Commissioner Scott Fricker were among a group of elected officials who called on Mayor Quinton Lucas to rescind statements welcoming migrants to Kansas City.

Before being elected to the Clay County Commission, Nolte served as a Republican member of the Missouri House of Representatives, representing District 33 in Gladstone starting in 2004 and serving four consecutive terms.

This story was originally published November 5, 2024 at 10:06 PM.