The Star’s endorsements in Missouri Senate, House and secretary of state primaries | Opinion

Editor’s note: Today we are making endorsements for multiple statewide offices in the Aug. 6 Missouri primary. Click here to learn about which races the editorial board is endorsing in, and check out The Star’s Voter Guide.

Missouri Senate District 7 Democrats

This primary election is among the most important in the region this August. The 7th District includes much of Kansas City’s downtown and West Side, the Ward Parkway corridor and south Kansas City.

We endorse Patty Lewis for the Democratic nomination, narrowly over opponent Pat Contreras.

Lewis is currently a state representative. In that position, she has worked tirelessly to improve health care delivery in the state, including offering measures on parity for mental health treatment and improving maternal health. That work will save lives.

She helped push those measures through a legislature dominated by Republicans — a significant accomplishment. “I’ve got relationships, obviously, to get things done,” Lewis told us. “You’ve got to work across the aisle, and I’ve got a proven track record of doing so.”

In this, Lewis knows something important: Democrats in Jefferson City cannot expect to change the state overnight. Instead, Democrats must 1) stop bad things from happening, and 2) make improvements through quiet, hard work and compromise with the majority party.

We think Lewis is best positioned to do both. She has four years of on-the-ground legislative experience that Contreras lacks.

She’s right on the issues. She supports “smart, sensible gun reform.” She’s committed to investments in schools, substance abuse treatment and treating homelessness. She supports reproductive rights and civil rights. Democrats can embrace her approach to governance.

To be clear, Contreras’ views on issues are similar. His contrast with Lewis doesn’t come on policy, but on approach: Contreras would clearly be the more assertive of the two candidates, in a state Senate where rhetoric can sometimes overtake reason.

“If I’m in Jefferson City, I’m not going to go there just to click ‘no,’” he told us. “I want to go there to get things done.”

Pat Contreras is an impressive candidate. He has experience in foreign diplomatic work, which, as he pointed out, could be important in a room full of legislative conflict. He has business experience. He has worked with public officials for years. We think, and hope, he will be an important political figure in our region for many years to come.

This critically important state Senate seat must be occupied by someone who fully understands the General Assembly. He or she must be committed to working in the Senate, quietly but relentlessly.

Both candidates have claimed impressive endorsements from interest groups and local politicians. It’s a tough decision, but we think Patty Lewis is the choice.

Missouri Senate District 9 Democrats

Incumbent Barbara Anne Washington is the clear choice for Democrats in this race.

Washington has ably and routinely defended the interests of her constituents during her term in Jefferson City. She has worked to improve nutrition in her district, and in other urban areas. She was part of the effort to provide rape and incest exceptions to Missouri’s ban on abortions.

She has argued fiercely against state interference in Kansas City’s police department. She has introduced measures to help the homeless, protect victims of domestic violence and to raise the age for certifying defendants as adults.

Sadly, most of these measures — like most Democratic proposals — have died in a state Senate where dysfunction and partisanship are routine. Washington deserves credit for trying.

Her opponent is Brandon Ellington, a former state representative and member of the Kansas City Council. He worked on behalf of his constituents in both positions, but his sometimes difficult behavior angered his colleagues and led to a spotty political record.

Washington is the better politician and public servant. Democrats should nominate her.

Missouri House District 15 Democrats

We like Greg Smith in this race over Kenneth Jamison.

It’s very close. Both appear qualified, and share views on most issues. Jamison is a lawyer and a former U.S. Marine. Smith is a member of the United Auto Workers: “Unions provide workers with essential bargaining power to ensure they are not taken advantage of,” his website says.

We think organized labor could use a voice in Jefferson City. Smith could be that voice.

Missouri House District 28 Democrats

We endorse Donna Barnes, who wants to replace her state representative husband, Jerome. She’s open-minded about state aid for stadiums, and promises to work to protect the elderly and education – two important goals in this district.

Her opponent is Mike Sager, whose views seem aligned with most mainstream Democratic priorities. His record is particularly strong on protecting gay and lesbian rights in Jefferson City.

At the same time, Sager has encountered issues with the Missouri Ethics Commission in the past. We prefer Donna Barnes.

Missouri Senate District 11 Republicans

We were inclined to recommend Joe Nicola in this race, which includes Independence and eastern Jackson County north of Interstate 70.

But we can’t. In our survey, Nicola said he doesn’t believe the 2020 election was legitimate. That is simply wrong, and, in our view, disqualifying.

His opponent Aaron McMullen, currently a state representative, has an impressive resume, including a tour in Afghanistan.

He boasts of carrying weapons. He wanted to create an office of election security and hand the keys to Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, despite little evidence of voter fraud in Missouri or anywhere else.

“I support an independent and self-governing eastern Jackson County, free from unconstitutional mandates,” his website says. It isn’t clear what that means. We cannot endorse this candidacy.

David Martin is the other candidate in the Republican race. He was involved in a fracas with GOP party officials and police at a social event.

Missouri secretary of state Democrats

We have come to this race rather late, in part because all three candidates are from eastern Missouri, and have done little campaign work on this side of the state.

All three seem to understand the job is relatively limited: The secretary of state has oversight over some election functions, but administration of the vote is primarily the responsibility of local election officials.

Barbara Phifer is our recommendation. She’s a member of the state legislature, which provides valuable experience in the secretary of state’s office. She was a minister and worked for a time in Uruguay.

She has criticized incumbent Jay Ashcroft for his handling of initiative petitions, including one on abortion rights. She is right. He was wrong.

Monique Williams has also criticized Ashcroft. Like the other candidates, she promises to run free and fair elections and protect public libraries.

Haley Jacobson is also in the race. “I intend to return the office to its neutral, nonpartisan roots, never putting my thumb on the scale to help or hurt any party,” she said in response to our survey.