The Star’s recommendations in contested Missouri House primaries
The Missouri General Assembly desperately needs independent-minded representatives who are not beholden to the monied special interests that control the Capitol.
Not all of the races in the Aug. 5 primary offer that choice, but voters in several districts have an opportunity to choose high quality candidates to move ahead to the November election.
Here are The Star’s recommendations in some contested races for the Missouri House.
District 14: Kevin Corlew’s background as a lawyer and North Kansas City School Board member makes him the best choice for this Northland district. He understands the value of strong public school systems. His opponent in the Republican primary is Josh Catton. The winner will take on Democrat Stephanie Isaacson.
District 18: The race for this open seat has drawn two smart and energetic Democratic candidates. Voters can’t go wrong, but Lauren Arthur stands out for her passion for public service and her determination to be a strong voice on education and women’s health issues. Arthur, who works for an advertising firm, grew up in the North Kansas City district and has taught in a Kansas City charter school as part of Teach for America.
Kevin Garner is a communications instructor and debate coach at William Jewell University and a partner in a firm that provides assistance to political campaigns. Both candidates are firm in their determination to keep North Kansas City Hospital as a city-owned resource. The winner will face Republican Robert Rowland in November.
District 20: Neither GOP candidate in this eastern Jackson County race seems likely to budge from boilerplate conservative positions. Brent Lasater has served one term in the General Assembly and appears to be a bit more capable than his opponent, Bill E. Kidd. The Democrat incumbent, John Mayfield, is running unopposed.
District 22: Freshman incumbent Brandon Ellington works hard to represent his constituents in Kansas City’s core. A second term should enable him to better navigate the workings of the Capitol. His opponent in the Democratic primary, Daniel R. Edwards, has not mustered much of a campaign. There is no GOP opposition in this race.
District 27: Democrat Bonnaye V. Mims emerged as a feisty defender of public schools and supporter of aid for the mentally ill during her first term in the House. Her independent streak has put her at odds with the Freedom Inc. political club, but it serves her constituents well. Mims, who also serves on the Hickman Mills School Board, is the choice over India Williams in this south Kansas City district. With no Republican opposition, the winner will be seated in January.
District 28: Incumbent Tom McDonald is not the most productive or dynamic member of the legislature but his opponent, Ryan Meyer, has gained little traction in this Democratic primary. Voters in the Raytown and eastern Jackson County district can hope that McDonald will show some life before he is term-limited in two years. No Republican is in the race.
District 29: A former Van Horn High School teacher and a current teacher at the same school are vying for the Democratic nomination in this Independence and eastern Jackson County district. John B. Sutton, who currently teaches high school science classes, shows the potential to speak out strongly on behalf of schools and workers. He is the choice over Winston Apple. The winner will take on Republican incumbent Noel Torpey in the general election.
District 34: Voters in this Lee’s Summit district should take advantage of the chance to return Republican Robert Thane (Bob) Johnson to the Capitol. In previous stints as a legislator, Johnson was a welcome voice of reason and that hasn’t changed. His priorities are to protect the Lee’s Summit School District, rein in Missouri’s runaway tax credit programs and push for ethics reform — all excellent causes. As a member of the Lee’s Summit City Council, Johnson also understands the needs of his community.
Justin Kalwei and Rebecca Roeber are also in the race. Unfortunately, both appear ready to embrace excessive tax cuts, parental “choice” and other right-wing agendas that are proving harmful for Missouri. Johnson is the only candidate to support helping low-income Missourians by expanding Medicaid eligibility. The winner will face Democrat Dale Mercer in November.
This story was originally published July 25, 2014 at 6:31 PM with the headline "The Star’s recommendations in contested Missouri House primaries."