The Star Editorial Board’s endorsements for Missouri Aug. 6 primary races | Opinion

The Star published in-depth endorsements from our editorial board for selected Missouri primaries throughout the month of July. If you missed any, you can see them at KansasCity.com/opinion/editorials We are providing them here in an encapsulated review of our recommendations. Missouri primaries are Tuesday, Aug. 6.

Republican ballot

Governor

We endorse Mike Kehoe. Kehoe is the most level-headed of the Republican candidates, although his campaign has been disappointing and sometimes misleading. We’re particularly concerned about his rental of a campaign bus owned by a well-known lobbyist who sometimes represents foreign interests.

Kehoe has also said he’ll end the state income tax, which is Sam Brownbackian nonsense at its worst. Risking the state’s financial health to pander to voters isn’t a good look.

Still, he remains the choice over Jay Ashcroft and Bill Eigel, who have argued all summer over who is more right-wing. Ashcroft has been a disaster as the secretary of state, and Eigel caused much of the dysfunction in the Legislature this year.

Also, note to all candidates: Put down the flamethrowers. They’re really boring.

Attorney general

We can make no recommendation in this race, which deserves attention because both candidates are so unacceptable.

Incumbent Andrew Bailey is a bad lawyer who neglects his state to pursue his own political priorities. He also keeps innocent people in prison, which should outrage every Missourian.

Will Scharf thinks presidents should be kings. Neither has earned your vote.

Secretary of state

We endorse Shane Schoeller, currently the clerk in Greene County. He has experience in election oversight, and has been a voice of reason in his party.

His opponents included scandal-plagued Dean Plocher, alleged defamer Denny Hoskins and gun-toting ultra right-winger Valentina Gomez. Republicans should not support these candidates.

State House District 11

We can’t make a recommendation in this race. Joe Nicola says the 2020 election of Joe Biden wasn’t legitimate, which is a disqualifier.

Nicola also faces allegations of using church-based funds to finance his campaign. That, too, is a concern.

Aaron McMullen wants an “independent” eastern Jackson County. David Martin had a spat with a party official.

This GOP field is a mess.

Democratic ballot

Governor

Mike Hamra has run an interesting, substantive campaign. Here, though, Crystal Quade is the clear choice.

Quade is the minority leader in the Missouri House, and has worked tirelessly to protect working families and children in the state. “We need an adult in the room,” she told us in response to our pre-endorsement survey.

We think Quade can be that grown-up. She is the candidate who is best positioned to face the GOP nominee in November.

Secretary of state

Democrats should support Barbara Phifer, currently a member of the Legislature. Her experience in government exceeds that of Monique Williams, another candidate in the race.

Haley Jacobson, who is from the St. Louis area, has not run a highly visible campaign.

U.S. senator

Lucas Kunce is the best option for this race against incumbent Josh Hawley.

He’s a lawyer and former U.S. Marine, serving for a time in Iraq. He has worked to assemble a coalition of workers and organized labor with veterans and women’s rights supporters.

“I’m running for U.S. Senate because I think working people should be calling the shots in our country,” he told us in our primary survey. He has pushed for stronger gun control laws — restrictions that reach beyond red-flag statutes and background checks. We think that’s the right approach.

Karla May and December Harmon are interesting candidates, but lack the statewide campaign experience Kunce can claim.

State Senate District 7

We endorse Patty Lewis.

Lewis is a state representative with the experience and knowledge to work effectively in the state Senate. She has helped manage bills relating to mental health and maternal health. We think she is well-equipped to represent the city’s interests in Jefferson City.

Opponent Pat Contreras is also well-qualified. He differs from Lewis not in policy, but in approach: he would be much more assertive than Lewis. Sometimes, that can be counter-productive.

On balance, Lewis deserves the vote.

State Senate District 9

Incumbent Barbara Anne Washington is the clear option. She has served her Kansas City district well, while opponent Brandon Ellington’s record is spotty at best.

State House District 15

Greg Smith, a union member and labor supporter, gets the narrow endorsement over lawyer Kenneth Jamison.

State House District 28

We endorse Donna Barnes over Mike Sager. Barnes wants to replace her retiring husband in the Missouri House, while Sager faced ethics allegations more than a decade ago.

Jackson County prosecutor

We support Melesa Johnson, narrowly, over opponents John Gromosky and Stephanie Burton. Johnson is best positioned to address some of the criminal justice inequities in the county.

She wants to start a property crimes prosecution division that can serve as a clinic for law students. “The cases will get the exclusive focus that they deserve, the victims will feel heard and advocated for thus expanding trust in the system, and the offenders will be held accountable before they escalate to more violent crimes,” she told us.

Gromowsky represents the old approach, which Jackson County doesn’t need.

Stephanie Burton is a high school dropout turned lawyer who helped start the conviction integrity unit in Wyandotte County. Her story and background make her a viable candidate for prosecutor.

In this race, though, we think Johnson is the preferred candidate.

Ballot issues

Amendment 1

Missourians should vote yes. Amendment 1 would provide tax exemptions for day care providers. While the exemptions would take some money from local jurisdictions like schools and counties, we think the need for expanded affordable child care in Missouri is obvious.

Amendment 1 would provide it. Vote yes.

Amendment 4

Missourians should vote no on Amendment 4, which would change the state constitution and allow the Legislature to impose a spending requirement for the Kansas City Police Department.

It’s the worst kind of plantation mentality: Jefferson City does not know how to run any police department. Lawmakers should not be allowed to impose their will on Kansas City. Vote no.

This story was originally published August 4, 2024 at 5:08 AM.