As governor, Crystal Quade can bring Missouri out of extremism and into the future | Opinion

I want my children to grow up to be proud Missourians. When they’re old enough, I want them to raise their kids here — in a safe, vibrant community full of opportunity. If we continue on our current course, I won’t blame them if they leave. The people who run this state continuously pass — and keep trying to pass — legislation that is not only regressive but is counter to everything I learned growing up here, from Sunday school to business school. The only thing that has saved our state is the utter incompetence and infighting of the elected Republicans in Jefferson City.

Earlier this year, GOP state Sen. Rick Brattin said, “When you’re not doing what you said you were going to do when you are elected, people are going to be angry and mad at you for not doing what you said you were going to do. … And that’s what the Republican Party has turned into: feckless, spineless, ambassadors of nothing and not fighting for what’s right.”

Bratton’s right, but fortunately, we have a way forward. We must elect Crystal Quade to be Missouri’s next governor.

Democrats have a competitive primary with Quade matching up against Mike Hamra, a businessman with deep pockets. But make no mistake: Crystal has earned her role as the leader of the state Democratic Party. Her vision excites me for the future. She can bring order to chaos and strengthen our state.

A quick background on the last decade of Missouri politics: Republican politicians opposed unions, raising the minimum wage, marijuana legalization and Medicaid expansion. Those measures all passed by the ballot initiative petition, a tool that gives us a direct role in writing laws. It’s no wonder that making it harder to get these people-driven initiatives on the ballot is the top priority for the Republican-controlled General Assembly. Quade at the top of the ticket would ensure that we keep this effective tool that makes our voices heard.

It is the state’s responsibility to keep kids healthy and safe, but more than 136,000 Missouri children have lost health insurance this year. That is unacceptable. Our government is doing such a bad job getting folks food assistance that the feds are investigating. Meanwhile, Republicans’ legislative priority is to move our tax dollars from public schools to religious and private schools, stealing opportunities from our children.

We deserve so much more. In addition her extensive experience as minority leader in the Missouri House, Crystal is a working mother. She knows how hard it is to hold a job while affording day care and doctor visit costs. As the first in her family to go to college, she values education. As a woman in Missouri, she knows what it’s like to have personal freedom taken away. She will fight for all of us.

Crystal is the best candidate to push back against the extreme agenda being pursued in Jeff City. Did you know that all the Republican candidates for governor supported a bill that allowed children to openly carry assault rifles in St. Louis? The state GOP literally punished Missouri police departments if they worked with the Drug Enforcement Administration on gun-related crimes. Crystal believes in the same commonsense gun safety regulations that have been proven to make communities safer and help cities thrive — and that most Missourians support. You want to see businesses move back downtown? Take away the argument that it isn’t safe.

I’m very pro-business, and I know that to hire the most qualified people, it is essential that prospective employees want to live where they work. For most, that is in a state where their bodily autonomy and health care decisions aren’t dictated by others. Regardless of personal or religious beliefs — strictly from a business perspective — many highly qualified individuals refuse to work in a state that wants to control their bodies. Do your employees like having healthy babies? Good luck finding an OB-GYN in a state that doesn’t let doctors do their jobs without fear of lawsuit and retribution.

Crystal supports reproductive freedom. She plans to increase teacher salaries. She supports trade schools. She would fund social services. All of these will stimulate our economy. She wants to make sure parents have free or affordable day care options so they can go to work, because day care for two kids can cost more than what a single parent brings home. It’s also a great way to bring more people into the workforce. She is truly a pro-business candidate.

A lot of people admire candidates who have cushy jobs or trust funds who run for office supposedly because “they don’t have to.” I admire a candidate who runs because she knows she must — because we deserve better, because her children deserve better, and because she is the best person for the job.

Please join me in making Crystal Quade Missouri’s next governor, and start by voting for her in the primary on Aug. 6.

Spencer Toder is a former Democratic U.S. Senate candidate, entrepreneur, father and fourth generation Missourian. He does not work for the Crystal Quade campaign.

This story was originally published August 1, 2024 at 5:13 AM.