Missouri candidate Roeber accused of abuse is unfit for office. But there’s a clear choice
Chris Hager is unquestionably the choice for voters in Missouri House District 34, which includes parts of Lee’s Summit and areas east and south of the city.
Hager, the Democrat in this race, is well-prepared and well-suited to represent this district in Jefferson City. His opponent, Republican Rick Roeber, is unfit to hold office and has been accused by his own adult children of physical and sexual abuse..
Hager, who works in information technology, is a newcomer to politics. But his knowledge of issues in Missouri is deeply impressive: He wants to fully fund public schools, implement Medicaid expansion and “take a hard look” at police reform.
Hager’s father was the chief of police in Lamar, Missouri, for three decades. That experience, Hager says, can make him a leading voice on improving police procedures.
“I grew up around law enforcement,” he said. “But we have a problem. We have a problem nationwide with systemic racism and the way that is inherently applied in policing.”
Hager appreciates the difficult work of being an officer and the hard choices they make in the field. But it is time, he said, to re-examine qualified immunity for police officers, the doctrine that makes it difficult to prosecute misconduct.
Immunity “cannot protect officers that have demonstrated a consistent pattern of abuse and violence against communities they are sworn to protect,” Hager said. He’s right.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWho decides the endorsements?
Members of The Kansas City Star Editorial Board interview political candidates, as well as advocates and opponents of ballot measures. The editorial board is comprised of seasoned opinion journalists and is separate from The Star’s newsroom. The board’s members are editorial writers Toriano Porter and Mara’ Rose Williams — all veteran journalists with decades of experience. Editors Derek Donovan is also a member, and editor David Tarrant, while not a member of the board, reads and often improves each editorial we publish. Read more by clicking the arrow in the upper right.
What does the endorsement process entail?
The Star Editorial Board invites candidates in each race to meet with the board in an on-the-record discussion, the purpose of which is more fully understand what distinguishes one candidate from another. Board members do additional reporting and research to learn as much as possible about the candidates. The editorial board then convenes to discuss the candidates in each race. Board members seek to reach a consensus on the endorsements, but not every decision is unanimous..
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On other issues, Hager says he’s ready to work with Republicans and Democrats to make Missouri better. “That suits me well, to reaching across the aisle,” he said, but “I will not meet you halfway on measures, on bills, on policies that are based in racism or bigotry.”
Hager is committed to making government more transparent. He endorses “commonsense” firearms laws. He supports labor organization rights and a living wage.
For his temperament, policy views and thoughtfulness, Hager would earn our enthusiastic endorsement and would deserve support from voters.
In this race, though, there is another compelling reason to elect Chris Hager.
As we have reported, two of Roeber’s adult children say he physically and sexually abused them when they were young. A third sibling says she was aware of the alleged abuse. Their mother has corroborated the children’s allegations of abuse.
They courageously shared their stories with The Star, describing molestation and traumatic physical abuse during their childhood.
A fourth sibling made a claim of abuse that was investigated by Jackson County officials. They found probable cause to believe abuse had taken place.
That finding was overturned by Missouri’s Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board. Republicans, including Roeber, have claimed the decision fully exonerated Roeber, but it does not. The board only examined the claim involving the fourth sibling — not the other children’s allegations.
In a statement to The Star Editorial Board, Roeber blamed “parental alienation syndrome” for the on-the-record statements from his children. But their stories were clear and consistent, and are reason enough for voters to reject his candidacy. Roeber declined to participate in an endorsement interview with The Star Editorial Board.
“These are allegations that can’t be ignored,” Hager told us. “I believe the survivors.” So do we.
Chris Hager is the only choice in Missouri’s House District 34. Hager earns The Star’s endorsement, and we urge voters to support him in the Nov. 3 election.
This story was originally published October 15, 2020 at 5:00 AM.