candidate conversations

Andy Maidment is running as a Libertarian to represent Missouri's sixth congressional district.

Five candidates are running for two open spots on the Columbia Public School Board of Education, to be decided by voters in the Tuesday, April 6th election. KBIA's Logan Franz spoke with each candidate - here's a breakdown of the issues and goals they have in mind.

Columbia Board of Education candidate Jay Atkins said if he could imagine a perfect school district, it would be one that had 100 percent literacy at the third-grade level.For Atkins, who has three children in the Columbia Public Schools and a fourth that will soon enter, literacy is on the top of his campaign agenda. He said he decided to run because he wanted to be more involved and make sure schools are under proper stewardship.

Blake Willoughby is the youngest candidate for the Columbia Board of Education, by a sizeable margin. While some might see this as negative, Willoughby sees this as one of his greatest advantages.

Ardella Streaty-Wilhoit, or more commonly known as Della, is passionate about educating youth. She describes herself as a family woman first and candidate for the Columbia Public School’s Board of Education second.

Voters in Missouri 47th House district have a choice to make - Representative Chuck Basye, a Republican, faces a challenge from Democrat Adrian Plank. While Basye and Plank agreed on what the core issues are, they are on the opposite side of the spectrum when it comes to solutions.Both candidates sat down with KBIA’s Noah Taborda to discuss the issues on their minds, particularly “Right To Work” policies and their impact on Missourians in the 47th district.

Women are running for office in record-breaking numbers nationally, and Missouri is no exception. The choice for state senate in two Mid-Missouri districts includes a first-time progressive candidate challenging a Republican candidate.In Missouri’s State Senate District 6, Democratic candidate Nicole Thompson is challenging Republican Representative Mike Bernskoetter as he seeks to transition from the Missouri House, as he is term-limited out. The 6th district senate seat is currently vacant.

In Missouri’s 44th District State House seat, encompassing parts of Boone and Randolph counties, Republican Representative Cheri Toalson Reisch faces a challenge from Democrat Maren Jones. The candidates are self-proclaimed polar opposites in policy and priorities.As part of KBIA’s series of Candidate Conversations, KBIA’s Noah Taborda sat down with the candidates. Representative Reisch told KBIA she identifies as a conservative Christian who as a State Representative believes it’s important to represent all constituents, whatever their political affiliations.

Missouri's 50th State House of Representatives district encompasses varied landscapes, from the southern tip of suburban Columbia to farmland in Cole and Cooper counties.Both candidates running to represent the 50th district say its residents may think they are divided along urban and suburban lines, but the challenges they face are all the same. Republican incumbent Representative Sara Walsh is being challenged by Democratic candidate Michela Skelton.

The race for Missouri's 49th District State House seat features a first-time Democratic candidate challenging a Republican incumbent seeking a third term. Challenger Lisa Buhr, a Democrat, is challenging Representative Travis Fitzwater for the 49th District seat. Buhr says she has worked for the state of Missouri for almost two decades and has spent the last five years at the state capitol as a legislative assistant. During his tenure as a state representative since 2014, Fitzwater has served on the Economic Development, Legislative Oversight, and Workforce Development committees.