The Star’s top choices for Missouri, Kansas primaries
In today’s primaries, voters will select general election candidates for key races in Missouri and Kansas.
They also will decide the fate of statewide issues in Missouri, plus have the opportunity to take the next step in expanding Kansas City’s streetcar line.
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Missouri and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Kansas.
The Star’s recommendations in selected races:
MISSOURI
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
No. 1: States that the right of Missouri citizens to engage in agricultural production and ranching practices shall not be infringed. — NO
No. 5: Includes a declaration that the right to keep and bear arms is an unalienable right and that the state government is obligated to uphold that right. — NO
No. 7: Enacts a sales tax of three-quarters of a cent to be used solely to fund state and local highways, roads, bridges and transportation projects — including a possible expansion of Kansas City’s streetcar system — for 10 years. — YES
No. 8: Creates a Veterans Lottery Ticket and uses its revenues for projects and services related to veterans. — NO
No. 9: States that people shall be secure in their electronic communications and data from unreasonable searches and seizures as they are now likewise secure in their persons, homes, papers and effects. — NO
U.S. HOUSE
Democrat
5th District — Emanuel Cleaver
6th District — W.A. “Bill” Hedge
Republican
4th District — Vicky Hartzler
5th District — Michael Burris
6th District — Sam Graves
Libertarian
4th District — Randall Langkraehr
MISSOURI HOUSE
Democrat
District 18 — Lauren Arthur
District 22 — Brandon Ellington
District 27 — Bonnaye V. Mims
District 28 — Tom McDonald
District 29 — John B. Sutton
Republican
District 14 — Kevin Corlew
District 20 — Brent Lasater
District 34 — Robert Thane (Bob) Johnson
KANSAS CITY
Question 1: Renews a one-quarter cent sales tax, which expires Dec. 31, 2016, for 20 additional years to operate the Fire Department. — NO
Question A: Creates a transportation development district in part of Kansas City south of the Missouri River. If the district is approved, voters inside it in November would decide whether to help finance expansion of the downtown streetcar line. — YES
JACKSON COUNTY
Democrat
1st District at large — Frank White
2nd District at large — Crystal Williams
2nd District — Sterling Brown
4th District — Dan Tarwater
Republican
6th District — Bob Spence
CLAY COUNTY
Democrat
Auditor — Sheila Ernzen
Republican
Presiding Commissioner — Jerry Nolte
Clerk — Sheri Chapman
Recorder of Deeds — Katee Porter
PLATTE COUNTY
Republican
Presiding Commissioner — Jim Plunkett
KANSAS
U.S. SENATE
Democrat — Chad Taylor
Republican — Pat Roberts
U.S. HOUSE
Democrat
3rd District — Kelly Kultala
SECRETARY OF STATE
Republican — Scott Morgan
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER
Republican — Clark Shultz
KANSAS HOUSE
Democrat
District 16 — Don McGuire
Republican
District 8 — Stacey L. Schlimmer
District 16 — Jameia Haines
District 19 — Stephanie Clayton
District 22 — Barbara Bollier
District 30 — Ron Worley
District 49 — Scott Schwab
JOHNSON COUNTY
County Commission (nonpartisan)
Chairman — Ed Peterson or Ed Eilert
1st District — Laura McConwell or Ron Shaffer
4th District — Curt Skoog
This story was originally published August 4, 2014 at 4:28 PM with the headline "The Star’s top choices for Missouri, Kansas primaries."