Here are all The Star’s endorsements for Kansas and Missouri elections on Tuesday
The Star Editorial Board spent the last two months interviewing candidates, examining records and studying the issues. Here are our recommendations for the 2020 general election.
MISSOURI
Governor: Nicole Galloway
Nicole Galloway has fought waste and fraud as the state’s auditor and would bring energy and a sharp focus to Missouri’s battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. To her credit, she has run a campaign focused on the issues.
Gov. Mike Parson has presided over the state’s disastrous coronavirus response. He’s done little to help cities such as Kansas City fight violent crime and has exhausted the goodwill he inherited after replacing disgraced Gov. Eric Greitens.
Lieutenant Governor: Alissia Canady
Alissia Canady, a former member of the Kansas City Council and a mayoral candidate, has an impressive resume. She would focus on early childhood education, reducing gun violence and improving mental health services.
Incumbent Mike Kehoe has fallen short in his efforts to help the elderly deal with COVID-19.
Attorney General: Rich Finneran
A former federal prosecutor, Rich Finneran pledges to keep politics out of the Missouri attorney general’s office. That would mark a significant departure from Eric Schmitt, the man who now has the job. Schmitt has wasted taxpayer money pursuing frivolous political lawsuits.
Secretary of State: Yinka Faleti
Yinka Faleti is the very embodiment of the American dream — an immigrant who went to West Point, served his country in Kuwait and is ready to serve Missourians. He’s the most impressive candidate The Star Editorial Board met this year.
Current Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft is the person most responsible for the state’s muddled election procedures. Faleti is the clear choice.
U.S. House, 5th District: Emanuel Cleaver
Emanuel Cleaver’s hard work for the people of his district is well-known. His influence in Congress will grow if he’s re-elected and Democrats remain in the majority.
Opponent Ryan Derks demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of basic issues.
Missouri Senate, District 9: Barbara Anne Washington
Barbara Anne Washington is the right choice to fill this vacant Missouri Senate seat. She would be a tireless advocate for Kansas City, and she is willing and able to work across the aisle, which Democrats must do in Jefferson City.
Opponent David Martin has never held elective office.
Missouri House, District 34: Chris Hager
Chris Hager supports commonsense legislation on school funding, Medicaid expansion and law enforcement. His opponent, Rick Roeber, has been accused by two of his adult children of physically and sexually abusing them when they were young. Roeber is unfit for office.
Jackson County Prosecutor: Jean Peters Baker
Incumbent Jean Peters Baker has taken a progressive approach to criminal justice reform, and she’s been an effective advocate for crime victims.
She is also the one public official willing to criticize the use of excessive force by Kansas City police. Her opponent, Tracey Chappell, has been endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police. Her election would likely remove an important check on police behavior.
Judges: Do not retain John Torrence, Patrick Campbell, Janette Rodecap
Missouri voters decide periodically if judges should be retained or dismissed from the bench. John Torrence, Patrick Campbell and Janette Rodecap have shown disdain for public defenders and resistance to the rights of the poor to a fair trial and effective counsel. They should be removed.
“I have never seen judicial hostility and retaliation against public defenders as I have in the criminal bench in Kansas City,” said Stephen Hanlon, a former chair of the Indigent Defense Advisory Group of the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defendants.
That’s unacceptable, and voters should send that message to the courthouse. Vote no on retaining these judges.
Amendment 1, term limits: No
Amendment 1 would limit the terms of statewide officials, including the attorney general, secretary of state and state auditor. It’s a solution in search of a non-existent problem.
Amendment 3, ethics changes: No
Amendment 3 would overturn the Clean Missouri initiative of 2018, but it would do more: It would ruin fair representation in Jefferson City for a generation. It’s the most cynical ballot proposal in years.
Jackson County Question 1, 911 fees: Yes
Missouri is the only state in the nation where cellphone users don’t help pay for 911 emergency call systems. Meanwhile, 80% of the Kansas City region’s calls to the service come from mobile phones.
Jackson County Question 2, Andrew Jackson statues: Yes
Andrew Jackson used slaves to accumulate wealth. He’s responsible for the Indian Removal Act, one of the most shameful laws in U.S. history. He never set foot in Missouri. His statues should not adorn local courthouses.
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..
Is the editorial board partisan?
No. In making endorsements, members of the editorial board consider which candidates are well prepared to represent their constituents — not whether they agree with us or belong to a particular political party. We do weigh heavily their stances on issues we consider basic tests of judgment and candor, such as whether they even acknowledge climate change as real, or if they continue to deny the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election. We weigh these factors against many others, and state clearly what our conclusions are. Primarily, we evaluate candidates’ relevant experience, their readiness for office, their depth of knowledge of key issues and their understanding of public policy. We’re seeking candidates who are thoughtful and who offer more than just party-line talking points. The editorial board will endorse both Republicans and Democrats, making recommendations about who the best-qualified candidate for each job is.
Why are endorsements unsigned?
Endorsements reflect the collective views of The Star’s editorial board — not just the opinion of one writer. Board members all discuss and contribute ideas to each endorsement editorial.
KANSAS
U.S. Senator: Barbara Bollier
Barbara Bollier is a centrist whose views are aligned with the majority of Kansans. She backs Medicaid expansion and health insurance reform and sees the need for another coronavirus relief measure.
U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall is not a moderate alternative. From his personal COVID-19 response to his efforts to do away with the Affordable Care Act, he’s as extreme as Kris Kobach.
Republicans will continue to nominate fringe candidates such as Marshall until voters tell them to do otherwise. That’s why electing Bollier is crucial in 2020.
U.S. House, 2nd District: Michelle De La Isla
Michelle De La Isla, the mayor of Topeka, has overcome adversity to become a leader in her community, and she’s on the right side of key issues such as supporting access to quality health care.
Her opponent, Kansas Treasurer Jake LaTurner, has run a particularly nasty, misleading campaign. He’s aligned with former Gov. Sam Brownback, whose tax experiment ravaged the state.
U.S House, 3rd District: Sharice Davids
The Star endorsed Sharice Davids two years ago, and she has earned another term. She’s generally voted with her district, and her office has provided valuable constituent services.
Davids is on the right side of the health care debate, supporting the Affordable Care Act. She wants a bipartisan response to the COVID-19 crisis, while challenger Amanda Adkins has insisted businesses are more important than people.
Kansas Senate, District 8: Cindy Holscher
On school funding, Medicaid expansion and more, state Rep. Cindy Holscher’s rhetoric matches her record. She’s proven herself a hard worker for everyday Kansans’ interests, and she would be a leading voice as the state makes its way out of the hole the coronavirus pandemic has created.
Opponent James Todd has solid ideas, but downplays safety measures in the face of a pandemic.
Kansas Senate, District 9: Stacey Knoell
Stacey Knoell would bring a valuable perspective to Topeka with her background as a teacher, sign language interpreter and volunteer for Catholic Charities. She would be a fresh voice of reason on important topics such as health care and education.
Opponent Beverly Gossage is out of the mainstream of thought in the district.
Kansas Senate, District 10: Lindsey Constance
Lindsey Constance, a Shawnee City Council member, cofounder of Climate Action KC and elementary school teacher, earned The Star’s endorsement. She is level-headed and representative of her district.
Her opponent, TV weatherman Mike Thompson, is radically out of step with Johnson County. He denies evolution and climate change. He voted against relief funding and extending unemployment benefits during the pandemic.
Kansas Senate, District 21: Dinah Sykes
Dinah Sykes was once a Republican but switched parties after the Kansas GOP pushed its assault on public education. She will be a needed moderate voice in Topeka as lawmakers face the daunting challenge of digging out of the recession and the coronavirus pandemic that isn’t over yet.
Opponent Tom Bickimer’s public pronouncements have been a string of platitudes.
Kansas Senate, District 37: Molly Baumgardner
State Sen. Molly Baumgardner’s competencies overlap with some of Kansas’ most pressing needs, including funding schools, lifting up foster children and extending health care to all residents by expanding Medicaid.
Becca Peck, her Democratic opponent, has worked fiercely for important issues and supports a reduction in the food sales tax in Kansas. Baumgardner, though, is the better choice.
Kansas House, District 16: Rashard Young
Rashard Young, the director of outreach at the Kansas Treasurer’s Office, should have a bright future in the Republican Party. He overcame a childhood of hunger and poverty and is the better choice to represent District 16.
Voters should appreciate his focus on the coronavirus and distaste for partisan bickering. His opponent, Linda Featherston, is a qualified candidate, but Young is a rising star in the Kansas GOP.
Kansas House, District 18: no recommendation
There isn’t a good choice in the race between Democratic incumbent Cindy Neighbor and Republican challenger Cathy Gordon. Neighbor met with The Star Editorial Board, which we appreciate, but her answers to our questions were frustratingly short on specifics.
Kansas House, District 37: Write-in Stan Frownfelter
State Rep. Stan Frownfelter has been serving in the Kansas House since 2007, but he lost the primary to 20-year-old Aaron Coleman, a deeply troubling candidate who admitted to abusing young girls. Voters in Wyandotte County should write in Frownfelter’s name in this race.
This story was originally published November 2, 2020 at 5:00 AM.