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Politically Speaking

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Tuesday will decide Missouri's political destiny. Here's what you need know

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For Missouri Democrats, tomorrow is judgment day.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After leading the Show Me State for most of its existence, voters will decide if the last two Democratic statewide officials remain in their posts. If U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill and state Auditor Nicole Galloway prevail, it could provide a jolt for a party seeking to rebound after the disaster of 2016.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But if GOP Attorney General Josh Hawley is able to topple McCaskill, and</span> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">Saundra McDowell is elected auditor, it could be the surest evidence that once-purple Missouri is now deep red.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Those two races aren’t the only things on the electoral radar. Voters will also decide on several major ballot initiatives — including three on legalizing medical marijuana. And across the river in Illinois, Republicans are on the defensive after Gov. Bruce Rauner’s tumultuous term.</span></p> <p> </p>

Nov 5, 201848 min

Stephen Webber

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Missouri Democratic Party Chairman Stephen Webber joins St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jo Mannies to talk about how Democrats are stacking up in next week’s election.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Both Webber and Missouri Republican Party Chairman Todd Graves recorded episodes of Politically Speaking. You can listen to Graves’ episode by clicking here.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Webber is a former state representative from Columbia who was elected in 2016 as party chairman. The 35-year-old took on that role after narrowly losing a state Senate race to Republican Caleb Rowden.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Since becoming chairman, Webber has been traveling all over the state to rebuild the party after the 2016 election. He’s placed an emphasis on fielding more candidates in state legislative races — instead of letting Republicans run unopposed. And he’s also sought to foster a more aggressive get-out-the-vote effort to help U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill and state Auditor Nicole Galloway win their elections.</span></p>

Oct 31, 201838 min

Todd Graves

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Missouri Republican Party Chairman Todd Graves joins St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jo Mannies on the latest edition of Politically Speaking.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Both Graves and Missouri Democratic Party Chairman Stephen Webber taped podcasts giving their perspective on next week’s election, which will have a major impact on the state’s future political trajectory.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Graves is a partner at the Graves Garrett law firm in Kansas City. He became chairman of the Missouri Republican Party after the 2016 election cycle.</span></p>

Oct 30, 201836 min

Examining Clean Missouri, an amendment shaking up state legislative redistricting

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jo Mannies take a deep look at Amendment 1 on the latest edition of Political Speaking.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The measure, widely known as Clean Missouri, combines a host of ethics-related alterations with an overhaul of state legislative redistricting. Out of all the things on the Nov. 6 ballot, Clean Missouri is eliciting the most unusual political alliances.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Proponents include left-of-center activists and groups that helped craft the measure, as well as some prominent Republicans. Backers contend that Clean Missouri will make politics more accessible to people — as opposed to special interests or lobbyists.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Detractors believe that the ethics-related items in Clean Missouri, including curtailing lobbyist gifts and slightly lowering campaign donation limits, are aimed at making the state legislative redistricting changes more palatable to voters. While many of the opponents are Republicans, some African-American officials and groups aren’t supporting Clean Missouri because of fears it will lead to</span> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">fewer black lawmakers getting elected.</span></p>

Oct 26, 201836 min

Saundra McDowell

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">GOP state auditor nominee Saundra McDowell joins the Politically Speaking podcast to talk about her campaign for the statewide office.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">McDowell is squaring off against incumbent Democrat Nicole Galloway, who was appointed to her post after Tom Schweich’s death in 2015. You can listen to Galloway’s appearance on</span> <a href= "http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/politically-speaking-missouri-auditor-galloway-her-bid-full-4-year-term"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">the show here.</span></a></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">McDowell is an Oklahoma native and Air Force veteran who received her law degree from Regent University. She worked as an assistant attorney general and as director of enforcement for the securities division under Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft.</span></p>

Oct 24, 201837 min

Nicole Galloway

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">State Auditor Nicole Galloway returns to the Politically Speaking podcast to talk about her quest for a full four-year in office.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Democratic official was appointed to her post in 2015 after the suicide of</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;"> Tom Schweich. She’s squaring off against Republican Saundra McDowell in Nov. 6 election. McDowell’s episode of Politically Speaking will be posted on Wednesday afternoon.</span></p>

Oct 23, 201834 min

Breaking down Hawley and McCaskill’s first one-on-one debate

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jo Mannies examine Thursday night’s televised debate between U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill and Attorney General Josh Hawley.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The debate comes as most polls show a tight race between McCaskill and Hawley. And few observers believe that Democrats have any chance of taking over the Senate if McCaskill can’t win a third term.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Among other things,</span> <a href= "http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/health-care-party-independence-are-major-themes-mccaskill-hawley-senate-debate"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">the candidates debated</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">health care, immigration policy, “right to work” laws, global warming and Second Amendment rights. Hawley contended that McCaskill is too liberal for a state which went for President Donald Trump by 19 points. McCaskill emphasized her independence, someone who will work with “anyone, anytime” to address the state’s needs.</span></p>

Oct 20, 201838 min

Ann Wagner

<p>Congresswoman Ann Wagner joins Politically Speaking to talk about her re-election battle against Democrat Cort VanOstran.</p> <p>The Ballwin Republican represents Missouri's 2nd District, which includes parts of St. Louis, St. Charles and Jefferson Counties.</p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Many political prognosticators believe that Democrats have a good chance of retaking the House this year. And if they do, the party may gain the most ground in places like Wagner’s 2nd District — which take in a big portion of the St. Louis suburbs. </span><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Wagner contends she’s well positioned to fend off a potential "blue wave."</span></p> <p> </p>

Oct 15, 201831 min

Hashing out the details of Missouri's three medical marijuana initiatives

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jo Mannies delve into the three medical marijuana initiatives.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Missourians will vote on Amendment 2, Amendment 3 and Proposition C. All three initiatives would make it legal to get marijuana for medical use. But they differ greatly in terms of how much marijuana will be taxed, how the regulatory framework would work, and where the money would go toward.</span></p>

Oct 13, 201833 min

On pre-existing conditions debates, St. Louis County turnout and Kander’s announcement

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jo Mannies look at three things playing a big role in Missouri’s 2018 election cycle.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The first is debate over pre-existing conditions between U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill and her GOP opponent Josh Hawley. It stems from Hawley’s</span> <a href= "https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/05/politics/texas-affordable-care-act-obamacare-lawsuit/index.html"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">decision to be a part</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">of a lawsuit seeking to</span> <a href= "https://www.news-leader.com/story/opinion/2018/10/03/josh-hawley-obamacare-isnt-needed-protect-preexisting-conditions/1508838002/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">upend the Affordable Care Act.</span></a></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">McCaskill</span> <a href= "http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/mccaskill-offers-medicare-option-middle-aged-people-46th-town-hall#stream/0"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">made health care a signature issue of her re-election campaign</span></a> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">long before it became a trend among other Democratic candidate running in states where President Donald Trump is reasonably popular.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mannies and Rosenbaum also discuss the importance of turnout, and Democratic unity, in St. Louis County for candidates like McCaskill. They also reflect on former Secretary of State Jason Kander’s decision to bow out of the Kansas City mayor’s race to seek treatment for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.</span></p>

Oct 6, 201836 min

Randy Auxier

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Randy Auxier, the Green Party nominee in Illinois’ 12th Congressional District, is the latest guest on the Politically Speaking podcast.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Auxier is running against incumbent Republican Congressman Mike Bost and Democratic nominee Brendan Kelly. Both Kelly and Bost both recorded episodes of Politically Speaking earlier this year.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Auxier is a Memphis native who is currently a philosophy professor at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. He’s been active in Green Party politics for some time, most recently running for a slot on the Jackson County Board in 2016.</span></p>

Oct 4, 201840 min

Robert Butler

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Democrat Robert Butler is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. He joins St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Abigail Censky to talk about his bid for the 22nd District Senate seat.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Butler is running against incumbent Sen. Paul Wieland, an Imperial Republican who first captured the Jefferson County-based district in 2014. Wieland’s episode of Politically Speaking</span> <a href= "http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/politically-speaking-jeffco-sen-wieland-why-his-re-election-bid-tougher-ever"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">was posted on Monday.</span></a></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Butler is an attorney who has lived in Jefferson County for more than 20 years. The Barnhart resident is not a first time candidate: He’s run for a state House seat encompassing part of northern Jefferson County twice, losing both times to House Majority Leader Rob Vescovo.</span></p> <p> </p>

Oct 2, 201834 min

Paul Wieland

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sen. Paul Wieland is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. He talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum, Jo Mannies and Abigail Censky about his re-election bid in Missouri’s 22nd District Senate seat.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Imperial Republican represents a portion of Jefferson County in the Missouri Senate. His race against Democrat Robert Butler is one of the most competitive state Senate races in the entire state — and could give a sense of how other statewide campaigns shake out.</span></p>

Oct 1, 201837 min

Jefferson County basks in the electoral spotlight as Missouri election season churns

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jo Mannies look at the importance of Jefferson County in this year’s statewide election.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Whenever there’s a competitive statewide election, Jefferson County often gets a lot of attention. That’s because voters there almost always pick winners of statewide elections — as they did in 2016 and 2012.</span></p>

Sep 28, 201833 min

Patrice Billings

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Democrat Patrice Billings is the latest guest on the Politically Speaking podcast. The St. Charles County resident talked to St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jo Mannies about her bid for Missouri’s 2nd Senatorial District seat.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Billings worked for several decades a helicopter pilot for the St. Louis County Police Department. She is squaring off against incumbent Sen. Bob Onder, a Lake Saint Louis Republican</span> <a href= "http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/politically-speaking-sen-onder-parson-s-first-months-and-his-take-november-ballot-items"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">who recorded an episode of Politically Speaking</span></a> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">earlier this month.</span></p>

Sep 27, 201836 min

Jake Zimmerman

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">St. Louis County Assessor Jake Zimmerman joins St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jo Mannies to talk about his re-election bid — and what he learned from his successful run for attorney general two years ago.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Olivette Democrat has served as St. Louis County assessor since 2011. Before that, Zimmerman was a member of the Missouri House and a staffer for governors Jay Nixon and Bob Holden.</span></p>

Sep 26, 201847 min

Mike Bost

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Illinois Congressman Mike Bost joined St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jo Mannies on Politically Speaking to talk about his bid for a third term.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Murphysboro Republican has represented Illinois’ 12th District since 2015. He’s running against Democrat Brendan Kelly, who is St. Clair County’s state’s attorney. The Bost-Kelly race is expected to be one of the competitive congressional races in the nation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kelly previously appeared on Politically Speaking. You can listen to that episode <a href= "http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/politically-speaking-kelly-his-quest-turn-illinois-12th-district-blue-again#stream/0"> by clicking here.</a></span></p>

Sep 24, 201836 min

Crawling in the Dark: Murky political money drives McCaskill to vote ‘no’ on Kavanaugh

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill’s</span> <a href= "http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/mccaskill-says-she-will-oppose-kavanaughs-supreme-court-nomination"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">decision to vote against</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court is a key topic of the latest Politically Speaking podcast.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jo Mannies look into how undisclosed political money is playing into the contest between McCaskill and GOP Attorney Josh Hawley. It comes as millions of 501(c)(4) cash is going to support Hawley’s bid — and to ensure McCaskill wins a second term.</span></p>

Sep 22, 201832 min

East Central College’s Franklin County Candidate Forum

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">East Central College hosted a candidate forum on Thursday night featuring numerous contenders for local, state and federal offices.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum moderated the event, which featured questions on pressing public policy issues — as well as ballot initiatives that voters will consider on the Nov. 6 election.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The candidates that Rosenbaum questioned include:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">State Sen. Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, and Democrat John Kiehne, who are running for the 26th District Senate seat.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Democrat Katy Geppart, who is running for Missouri’s 3rd Congressional District seat.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Constitution Party candidate Jacob Luetkemeyer, a contender for Missouri state auditor.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Republican Aaron Griesheimer and Democrat Pamela Menefee, who are running for the 61st District House seat.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Republican John Simmons and Democrat James Cordrey, the candidates for the 109th District House seat.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Republican Dottie Bailey, the GOP nominee for the 110th District House seat.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Democrat Marcie Nichols, who is running for the 119th District House seat.</span></li> </ul>

Sep 21, 20182h 16m

Jonah Goldberg

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Conservative writer Jonah Goldberg is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. He joined St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jo Mannies to talk about his new book</span> <em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Suicide of the West: How the Rebirth of Tribalism, Populism, Nationalism, and Identity Politics is Destroying American Democracy.</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Goldberg is a syndicated columnist and a senior editor for National Review. He was intimately involved in the start of National Review Online, one of the most enduring political sites devoted to conservative politics.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Goldberg was in St. Louis this week <a href= "https://showmeinstitute.org/evening-jonah-goldberg-suicide-west-and-future-american-liberty"> for a Show-Me Institute event at Washington University Law School.</a></span></p>

Sep 19, 201845 min

Jim Talent

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Former U.S. Sen. Jim Talent joins St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jo Mannies on the latest episode of Politically Speaking. The Republican served in various federal and state capacities</span> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">for more than 20 years.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While Talent is no longer a candidate himself, he is leading the charge against a constitutional amendment known as Clean Missouri.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Talent is a St. Louis County native who has served in the Missouri House, the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate. He lost to U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill in 2006. While many Missouri Republicans have wanted Talent to run again for statewide office since then, he has stayed out of the electoral fray — and instead became</span> <a href= "https://www.nationalreview.com/author/jim-talent/"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">an expert on defense and national security policy.</span></a></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You can listen to a past episode of Politically Speaking with Clean Missouri proponents</span> <a href= "http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/politically-speaking-clean-missouri-proponents-contend-ballot-initiative-will-cleanse-state"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">by clicking here.</span></a></p>

Sep 17, 201845 min

The Ultimate Senate Challenge: Breaking down the Missouri Press Association Forum

<p>St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum and Jo Mannies detail Friday's Missouri Press Association Forum. It featured U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill and Attorney General Josh Hawley.</p> <p>The journoduo also took a closer look at the state auditor's contest between incumbent Democrat Nicole Galloway and Republican Saundra McDowell.</p>

Sep 15, 201838 min

Cort VanOstran

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cort VanOstran joins St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jo Mannies to talk about his Democratic bid in Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">VanOstran is squaring off against Republican Congresswoman Ann Wagner, a Ballwin Republican who has represented the 2nd Congressional District since 2013. The district includes parts of St. Louis, St. Charles and Jefferson counties.</span></p>

Sep 12, 201842 min

Brendan Kelly

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Brendan Kelly, the Democratic candidate in the 12th Congressional District, talked extensively with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum about his decision to enter the highly-competitive congressional contest.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kelly is squaring off against Congressman Mike Bost, who became one of the first Republicans to represent the 12th District in generations. The Bost-Kelly contest is expected to be one of the most competitive congressional races in the nation this year.</span></p>

Sep 10, 201840 min

Detailing next week's special session — and debate over a gas tax hike

<p>This week's episode of Politically Speaking takes a look at next week's special session of the Missouri General Assembly. Gov. Mike Parson called lawmakers back to work to pass bills aimed at expanding STEM education and drug courts.</p> <p>It comes as Missouri's election season is in full swing. One of the items that voters will decide on later this year is a gas tax increase. St. Louis Public Radio's Marshall Griffin joins Jason Rosenbaum to break down the issue.</p>

Sep 7, 201825 min

Bob Onder

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sen. Bob Onder joins St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Rachel Lippmann to talk about Gov. Mike Parson’s transition in the state’s chief executive office — and what the legislature could deal with in 2019.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Lake Saint Louis Republican represents a portion of St. Charles County. He’s running for re-election against Democrat Patrice Billings.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Because Mike Kehoe became lieutenant governor, Onder will serve as the floor leader during</span> <a href= "http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/parson-touts-working-lawmakers-adjust-2-bills-he-vetoed"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">next week’s special session.</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Parson wants the legislature to revamp two bills he vetoed dealing with STEM education and expanding drug courts.</span></p>

Sep 5, 201837 min

Sorting out the electoral impact of Trump’s tariffs — and a potential minimum wage hike

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Rachel Lippmann round of some of the week’s biggest developments in the 2018 elections.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One of the topics Rosenbaum and Lippmann take a look at this week is President Donald Trump’s aluminum and steel tariffs — and how they may affect Missouri’s U.S. Senate contest.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And in our weekly election analysis feature, Lippmann and Rosenbaum take a closer look at Proposition B — which would raise Missouri’s minimum wage to $12 an hour by 2023. This push to raise the wage floor took hold recently in St. Louis and Kansas City — and may have a good chance of passing statewide if organized opposition doesn’t emerged before November.</span></p>

Aug 31, 201829 min

Brian Williams

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Brian Williams joins St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Rachel Lippmann to talk about his big win in the 14th Senatorial District Democratic primary.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Williams will represent the central and north St. Louis-based district once the legislature reconvenes in 2019. The 14th District includes municipalities such as Clayton, University City, Ferguson, Hazelwood, Northwoods and Bridgeton.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Williams is a Ferguson native who worked many years for Congressman Lacy Clay, D-University City. Among other things, Williams was responsible for communicating with local and state legislative officials on issues that Clay was working on — such as moving the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency to north St. Louis.</span></p>

Aug 29, 201840 min

Nick Kasoff

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Libertarian Nick Kasoff joins Politically Speaking to talk about his bid for St. Louis County executive.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kasoff is one of four candidates running in the Nov. 6 election. They include incumbent Democratic County Executive Steve Stenger, GOP challenger Paul Berry III and Constitution Party nominee Andrew Ostrowski.</span></p>

Aug 27, 201830 min

The Trump Factor: How the president will affect Missouri’s Senate contest

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week’s Politically Speaking zeroes in on how President Donald Trump will affect Missouri’s election cycle — particularly U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill’s re-election bid against Attorney General Josh Hawley.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On the surface, Trump should benefit Hawley — especially since the GOP chief executive won Missouri by nearly 19 percentage points in 2016. Missouri’s public opinion polls show his approval ratings hovering around 50 percent. But Trump has faced a torrent of controversy this week with the Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen court proceedings.</span></p>

Aug 25, 201831 min

Karla May

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">State Rep. Karla May joins Politically Speaking to talk about her ouster of Sen. Jake Hummel in Missouri’s 4th District.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">May is a four-term Democratic lawmaker who represents a portion of western St. Louis in the Missouri House. Her dominating victory over Hummel was arguably the biggest statehouse surprise in the Aug. 7 primary. If May wins in November, she will represent St. Louis with Sen. Jamilah Nasheed. It would mark the first time that two African-American women have represented the city in the Missouri Senate.</span></p>

Aug 22, 201848 min

Claire McCaskill

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill joins Politically Speaking to talk about her quest for a third term in one of the nation’s most closely watched Senate contests.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Missouri Democrat was first elected to the Senate in 2006. Before that, McCaskill served as Missouri’s auditor, Jackson County prosecutor and a member of the Missouri House of Representatives.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This time around, McCaskill is squaring off against Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley, a Republican who is emphasizing his conservative bonafides — and his endorsements from President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.</span></p>

Aug 20, 201832 min

As candidates and campaigns ramp up, McCaskill prepares to meet with Kavanaugh

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Friday’s edition of Politically Speaking looks at three different storylines to watch as candidates and campaigns ramp up for the November election.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The first one that St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jo Mannies tackle is how U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill is meeting with Brett Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump’s latest pick for the U.S. Supreme Court. Both</span> <a href= "http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/mccaskill-under-pressure-both-sides-aisle-she-considers-supreme-court-vote"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">sides of the political spectrum</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">are pressuring McCaskill, which comes as she runs against GOP Attorney General Josh Hawley.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As the expensive and competitive Senate race between McCaskill and Hawley continues, unidentified money is flowing into ballot initiatives — including a bid to raise Missouri’s minimum wage to $12 an hour. A group called</span> <a href= "http://www.kcur.org/post/bid-raise-missouri-s-minimum-wage-gets-funding-politically-active-nonprofits"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">the Sixteen Thirty Fund</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">has given nearly a million dollars to that initiative — and has refused to say where its money comes from.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Meanwhile, the GOP nominee for state auditor, Saundra McDowell, is facing questions about whether she’s qualified to run for the statewide office. The Kansas City Star</span> <a href= "https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/election/article216723100.html"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">wrote this week</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">about how legal scholars wonder if McDowell has lived in Missouri long enough to be auditor. McDowell</span> <a href= "https://twitter.com/mcdowellformo/status/1028058171783499776"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> said in a statement</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">that she believes qualifies.</span></p>

Aug 18, 201828 min

Paul Berry III

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">GOP St. Louis County executive nominee Paul Berry III joins the Politically Speaking podcast to discuss his campaign to be one of the region’s top elected officials.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Berry won a two-way GOP primary last week for the county executive’s office. He’ll square off against incumbent St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger in November, along with several third-party candidates.</span></p>

Aug 14, 201845 min

Jay Nixon

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Former Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon returns to Politically Speaking to discuss a multitude of issues, including the state of St. Louis’ education system and the challenges of gubernatorial leadership.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Nixon served as governor from 2009 to 2017. He is one of only four men (Mel Carnahan, John Ashcroft and Warren Hearnes) to be elected to two consecutive terms as Missouri’s chief executive. He also was elected to four terms as attorney general and to a Jefferson County-based Senate seat.</span></p>

Aug 9, 201854 min

Missouri's 2018 primary brought seismic change. We break down what it means.

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If Missourians proved anything on Tuesday, it’s that they aren’t predictable when it comes to how they vote.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Less than two years removed from endorsing President Donald Trump and a slate of GOP statewide aspirants, voters overwhelmingly repealed the party’s signature policy, right to work, from the law books. But instead of backing candidates that won the blessing of organized labor groups, St. Louis and St. Louis County voters decided to go in very different directions.</span></p>

Aug 9, 201834 min

Missouri's 2018 primary is tomorrow. Here's what you should know.

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On the surface, the purpose of Tuesday’s primary is only to select candidates that will run in the November general election. But in reality, the results could resonate for years to come.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That’s because Missouri voters will decide whether to retain right to work, which bars unions and employers from requiring workers to pay dues as a condition of employment. And in the St. Louis region, prevailing in the Democratic primary is often tantamount to election — especially in state legislative and local contests.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So on this episode, Jo Mannies and Jason Rosenbaum break down what to look for on Tuesday. And they're joined by a mystery guest to explain some vital information about going to the polls.</span></p> <p> </p>

Aug 6, 201829 min

David Steelman

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">David Steelman joins St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jo Mannies to talk about the health of the University of Missouri System, as well as the demise of former Gov. Eric Greitens.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Steelman is a veteran Republican public official who served as a state lawmaker in the 1980s. He’s currently the chairman of the University of Missouri System Board of Curators, which oversees four campuses in Columbia, St. Louis, Rolla and Kansas City.</span></p>

Aug 3, 201848 min

Josh Hawley

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Attorney General Josh Hawley joins Politically Speaking to talk about the nationally-watched contest for Missouri’s United States Senate seat.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hawley is the most well-known and well-funded Republican seeking to take on U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill in the fall. He’s facing off against 10 GOP candidates in next month’s Aug. 7 primary, including two,</span> <a href= "http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/politically-speaking-austin-petersen-standing-out-increasingly-crowded-us-senate-field#stream/0"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Austin Petersen</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">and</span> <a href= "http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/politically-speaking-tony-monetti-makes-his-case-why-he-should-take-mccaskill"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Tony Monetti,</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">that have been guests on Politically Speaking.</span></p>

Jul 30, 201829 min

A closer look at St. Louis County’s fractious election cycle

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week’s Politically Speaking takes a look at three competitive elections in St. Louis County. It comes as relations between St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger and the St. Louis County Council have deteriorated.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Stenger is facing an expensive bid for re-election against businessman Mark Mantovani. St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch is engaged in an increasingly high-profile race against Ferguson City Councilman Wesley Bell. And two Democrats are challenging Councilman Pat Dolan’s bid for re-election.</span></p> <p> </p>

Jul 27, 201832 min

Bob McCulloch

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch joins Politically Speaking to talk about his bid for re-election.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">McCulloch is one of the longest serving elected officials in Missouri. He’s squaring off against Ferguson City Councilman Wesley Bell in the August 7 primary. Since no Republican filed for the position, the winner of that contest will get to serve a four year term.</span></p>

Jul 24, 201850 min

Hawley and McCaskill get outside help as Senate race heats up

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week’s election edition of Politically Speaking examines how national and state-based political figures are assisting Attorney General Josh Hawley and U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill’s campaigns.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hawley received a fundraising boost this week from Vice President Mike Pence, who swung through the St. Louis area on Thursday to promote President Donald Trump’s policies. Meanwhile across the state, House Democrats are trying to a link</span> <a href= "https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article152745344.html"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">a 2017 controversy</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">involving Senate President Ron Richard with Hawley.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In addition to recapping a few of the week’s top events, St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jo Mannies break down two Democratic primaries for St. Louis-based congressional seats.</span></p> <p> </p>

Jul 20, 201835 min

Wesley Bell

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ferguson City Councilman Wesley Bell comes back to the Politically Speaking podcast to talk about the race for St. Louis County executive.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Democratic official is taking on incumbent St. Louis Prosecutor Bob McCulloch, one of the longest serving local officials in the entire state. Since no Republican signed up to run, the winner of the August 7 primary will serve a four year term.</span></p>

Jul 19, 201846 min

Breaking down two high-stakes statewide contests on Missouri's primary ballot

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week's election edition of Politically Speaking looks into the referendum over Missouri's right to work law — and the GOP primary for state auditor.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Besides the U.S. Senate contest, the right to work fight and GOP auditor race will be on every Missouri primary ballot on Aug. 7. And both matters could have long-term ramifications for the state's politics.</span></p>

Jul 13, 201833 min

Gina Mitten

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">State Rep. Gina Mitten returns to the Politically Speaking podcast to talk about serving on the committee that investigated former Gov. Eric Greitens.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mitten was one of three Democrats who were members of a committee looking into Greitens conduct. The committee ended up releasing a bombshell report in April in which Greitens was accused of sexual and physical abuse, which he denied. But the personal and campaign finance allegations against Greitens prompted lawmakers to call themselves into special session to possibly consider impeachment.</span></p>

Jul 11, 201853 min

How Kennedy’s departure, and abortion rights, will affect Missouri’s elections

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On the latest edition of Politically Speaking, St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jo Mannies debut a new edition of the show — a weekly roundup of the big issues shaping Missouri’s election cycle.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It will also showcase some contests that are below the radar — as well as marquee contests that will attract national attention.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On this week’s show, we look into how U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy’s retirement will factor into Missouri’s U.S. Senate race. If President Donald Trump’s pick is confirmed, it will likely reshape legal precedent on a host of topics for decades.</span></p>

Jul 6, 201834 min

Politically Speaking - Shane Cohn

<p>St. Louis Alderman Shane Cohn, D-25th Ward, joins Jo Mannies and Rachel Lippmann on the latest edition of Politically Speaking to talk budgets, progressive politics, and running for office as an openly gay man.</p>

Jul 5, 201841 min

Politically Speaking - Jay Ashcroft

<p>Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft joins Jo Mannies and Rachel Lippmann on the latest episode of Politically Speaking.</p> <p>Ashcroft's been busy since he took office in January 2017. He's overseen the implementation of the state's voter photo identification law. He's also in charge of certifying petitions for the November election, which could include several on marijuana.</p>

Jun 29, 201829 min

Politically Speaking - Tim Fitch

<p>On this week's episode, Jo Mannies and Rachel Lippmann talk to former St. Louis County police chief Tim Fitch, who is running as a Republican for the County Council's Third District.</p> <p>On the podcast, Fitch discusses the role he can play in getting the Council to work better with County Executive Steve Stenger, why he wants to "put a box" around money from a public safety sales tax, and why he isn't taking campaign contributions.</p>

Jun 19, 201842 min

Politically Speaking - Lauren Arthur

<p>On this episode of Politically Speaking, Jo Mannies and Marshall Griffin talk to State Sen.-elect Lauren Arthur, a Kansas City-area Democrat.</p> <p>Arthur flipped a state Senate seat that had been held by Republicans for more than a decade. On the show, she discusses how she believes Democrats should stay true to a progressive message.</p>

Jun 14, 201835 min