Politically Speaking

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, Seventh Ward Alderman Jack Coatar explains why he is the best person to fill a leadership vacuum left by indictment and resignations.

John Payne is with Legal Missouri 2022, the group trying to legalizing marijuana for adult use. He talked with STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg about the ins and out of Amendment 3 — and whether Missourians want to legalize cannabis products.

Democratic Rep. Ashley Bland Manlove is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. She joins St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum to discuss the reasons why, despite being a co-sponsor of the Cannabis Freedom Act this past legislative session, she is against Amendment 3, which would legalize adult-use of marijuana in Missouri.

Lisa McCarthy is running for the open 122nd District House seat. She talked with St. Louis Public Radio's Jonathan Ahl about running as a Democrat in territory that's become increasingly GOP-friendly. McCarthy is running against Republican Tara Peters, who also recorded an episode of Politically Speaking.

Politically Speaking takes a close look at a race for the 122nd House District, which takes in parts of Phelps County. St. Louis Public Radio's Jonathan Ahl talks with GOP nominee Tara Peters about her bid for the seat. Democratic nominee Lisa McCarthy's episode will be posted later this week.

Republican state auditor nominee Scott Fitzpatrick is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where he talked about his plans for the office if he prevails in November.
 
 Fitzpatrick won a hotly-contested GOP primary earlier this year against Republican state Rep. David Gregory. He’s facing off against Democrat Alan Green on Nov. 8. Green served in the MIssouri House from 2014 through the end of 2020.

With a special session on income tax cuts and agricultural tax credits still ongoing, state Rep. LaKeySha Bosley returned to Politically Speaking and talked about why she feels the debate thus far has been a “disaster.”
 
 Bosley represents Missouri’s 79th District, which takes in a portion of St. Louis. She is running unopposed in November for her seat – which means she will serve in her third term since getting elected to the Missouri House in 2018.

Mark Mantovani ran twice for St. Louis County executive as a Democrat. But now the retired businessman is the GOP nominee under unusual circumstances. He talks about his return to electoral politics — and his views on a wide range of pertinent issues.

St. Louis-based author Sarah Kendzior spoke with STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum earlier this week about her new book They Knew: How a Culture of Conspiracy Keeps America Complacent. Rosenbaum and Kendzior spoke in front of a live audience at the Ethical Society in Ladue. The event was organized by Left Bank Books

Republican George Hruza is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where he talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum about his bid for the 24th state Senate district.
 
 Hruza is seeking to represent the St. Louis County-based district that includes Fenton, Maryland Heights and Kirkwood. He’s running against Rep. Tracy McCreery, an Olivette Democrat who has served in the Missouri House for roughly nine years.

Lis Smith is the author of the best-selling book "Any Given Tuesday: A Political Love Story." Much of it talks about her life and career around political communications work, including her tenure with Pete Buttigieg's presidential campaign. But she also spent time in Missouri working for Democratic heavyweights like Claire McCaskill and Chris Koster. Smith spoke extensively with St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum about her time in the Show Me State — and other major points in the best-selling book.

Democratic Rep. Tracy McCreery is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. She joins St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum to talk about not only the upcoming special session, but her candidacy to be the state Senator for Missouri's 24th District, which is considered to be the most competitive Senate race this election cycle.

Democratic state Auditor nominee Alan Green is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where he discussed his campaign for state auditor with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg.
 
 Green served as a member of the state House from 2014 through the beginning of 2021. He is squaring off against state Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick in November. Fitzpatrick is planning on appearing on an episode of Politically Speaking at a later date.

Republican Sen. Lincoln Hough of Springfield joins St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum to talk about a litany of topics, including the upcoming special session dealing with tax cuts and credits. Hough, vice-chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee says he wants to pass an income tax cut Missouri can afford in the years to come. Hough also spoke on the August 2nd Primary, the upcoming November election and how he thinks the Missouri Senate may function after the dissolution of the Conservative Caucus.

Democrat John Kiehne is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where he talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg about his bid for the 26th Senatorial District.
 
 Kiehne is seeking to represent a district that includes a small part of St. Louis County and all of Franklin, Osage, Gasconade and Warren Counties. He ran in 2018, losing decisively to Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz. Republican Ben Brown won the GOP contest to succeed Schatz, who cannot run for another Senate term because of term limits.

Ben Brown is the latest guest on the Politically Speaking podcast, where the Washington native talked about his win in the Republican primary for the 26th Senate District.
 
 Brown beat four other GOP candidates in the race to represent a seat that includes part of St. Louis County and all of Franklin, Osage, Warren and Gasconade counties. He will face Democrat John Kiehne in November.

State Rep. Travis Fitzwater is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. He joins St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg to talk about his recent victory of securing the Republican nomination for Missouri's 10th Senate District. Fitzwater faced a tough primary with four Republican opponents. In addition to his own election, Fitzwater shares some of his thoughts on the upcoming November election as well as what he plans to focus on as a Senator.

For John Wood, Tuesday’s results in Missouri’s closely-watched U.S. Senate race doesn’t change much about his candidacy for the post as an independent.
 
 Wood recently turned in signatures to appear on the ballot in the race to succeed Roy Blunt. The former U.S. attorney and counsel for the congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection believes he can provide a different option for voters who generally hold conservative political views but don’t like how many Republicans embraced the idea that the 2020 election was stolen from former President Donald Trump.

St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum, Sarah Kellogg and Rachel Lippmann break down the results of Tuesday's primary. And the trio takes stock in a span of time that included a lot of wild moments, everything from a former governor's attempted comeback to a controversy around the Ying Yang Twins' suspicious endorsement of Mark McCloskey

On the latest edition of the Politically Speaking podcast, U.S. Rep Cori Bush, D-St. Louis County, talks about her re-election campaign in Missouri’s 1st Congressional District.
 
 Bush was elected to represent the district in 2020. It includes all of St. Louis and some of St. Louis County, and is the only congressional district in Missouri with a plurality of Black residents.

St. Louis County Councilwoman Rita Days talks about her bid for a full four-year term with St. Louis Public Radio's Rachel Lippmann and Jason Rosenbaum. Days is being challenged in the 1st County Council District Democratic PRIMARY

Terry Wilson, who is running for the 1st District St. Louis County Council seat, is the latest guest on the Politically Speaking podcast. The Jennings City Councilman talked about his primary challenge against Council Chairwoman Rita Days.

St. Louis County Executive Sam Page talks with St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum and Rachel Lippmann about his re-election campaign — and how he would approach the powerful post if he's elected a full four-year term.

State Sen. Jill Schupp talks with St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum her time in state legislative politics. The Creve Coeur Democrat came on the legislative scene in 2008 by winning a seat in the Missouri House. She eventually was elected to two terms in the Missouri Senate, and is departing in early 2023 because of term limits.

St. Louis County Executive hopeful Jane Dueker, the latest guest on the Politically Speaking. Podcast, talked about why she’s challenging incumbent St. Louis County Executive Sam Page on Aug. 2.
 
 Dueker is an attorney who previously served as chief of staff during part of Gov. Bob Holden’s administration. Until recently, Dueker was a lobbyist — most notably representing state and local police unions. She ended her registration as a lobbyist to be able to raise money for her campaign committee.

Former Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander talks with St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum about his new book Invisible Storm: A Solider's Memoir of Politics and PTSD.

Democratic candidate for Missouri's open U.S. Senate seat Lucas Kunce joins St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg to talk about his candidacy. Kunce is one of three major candidates on the Democrat side and has directly raised more than $3.3 million for his campaign. On this episode of Politically Speaking, Kunce shares his policy ideas related to abortion, gun control and other topics.

State senator and candidate for Missouri's 1st Congressional District Steven Roberts is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. He joins St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum to talk about why he decided to run against incumbent Cori Bush as well as his policy ideas including on abortion, gun control and the economy.

U.S. Congresswoman and candidate for Missouri's open U.S. Senate seat Vicky Hartzler is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. Hartzler joins St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg to speak on her campaign as well as policy topics including abortion, inflation and the Jan. 6th committee.

U.S. Congressman and Senate candidate Billy Long is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. Long joins St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg to talk about why he should be Missouri Republicans' choice in the upcoming primary on Aug. 2. Long also spoke about inflation, gun control, the Jan. 6. committee and other policy topics.

Missouri 2nd Congressional District hopeful Ray Reeds talks with STLPR's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum about why he's the best person to be the Democratic nominee for the seat that includes parts of St. Louis, St. Charles, Franklin and Warren Counties.

Missouri House Representative and a Democratic candidate in the race to be Missouri's 2nd Congressional District representative joins the latest episode of Politically Speaking. Gunby talks to St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg about the challenging task of flipping the district as well as her policy positions on gun control, the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation and more.

Attorney and Republican U.S. Senate Candidate Mark McCloskey is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. McCloskey, who gained national attention in 2020 after he and his wife brandished firearms at protestors who marched past their home, joins St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg to talk about his stances on topics such as gun control, abortion and the United States' actions over the war in Ukraine.

St. Louis' political world was turned upside down over the past week or so when three key officials were indicted on bribery charges. STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum talks with Rachel Lippmann and Kavahn Mansouri about what these legal proceedings mean for both politics and legislating in the city (and St. Louis County).

Missouri U.S. Senate candidate Spencer Toder joins St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg to share why he is running to replace outgoing Sen. Roy Blunt, as well as his positions on a litany of topics impacting both Missouri and the United States including gun control, abortion and the current elevated inflation rate.

Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz joins St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg to break down his campaign for the U.S. Senate. The Sullivan Republican is part of a crowded field angling to succeed U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt later this year.

Drew Dampf joins St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg to talk about a new state Senate map — and the lay of the land for 2022 races for seats in the Missouri General Assembly's upper chamber.

State Rep. Kevin Windham Jr., talks with STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg about the 2022 session — and how Democrats made a mark during the budgetary process.

Ben Samuels makes an announcement about his participation in Missouri's 2nd Congressional District contest.

State Rep. Joe Adams returns to Politically Speaking to talk to St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg about the now completed 2022 Missouri General Assembly session.
 
 The University City Democrat represents a portion of St. Louis County in the Missouri House. After redistricting, his district will consist of University City and portions of Clayton.

With the 2022 Missouri Legislative Session finished, St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg spend this episode of Politically Speaking answering your questions about the legislature. What does the redistricting process look like now that the legislature has passed a map? How will the contentiousness that happened this year impact future sessions? What song best describes this session? Those questions and more answered in this mailbag episode.

House Minority Floor Leader Crystal Quade joins St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum to talk about the last week of the 2022 Missouri Legislative Session. In addition to reflecting on this year's session, Quade spoke on the recently passed $49 billion state budget, the possibility of the legislature passing a congressional redistricting map and more.

The 17th Ward Alderwoman joined Politically Speaking to talk about equitable development, efforts to reduce opioid overdoses, and a varied athletic and professional career.

Zora Mulligan, Commissioner of Higher Education for the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development joins St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg, Jason Rosenbaum and Kate Grumke to talk about the state of higher education in Missouri. Mulligan spoke on current challenges the state is facing in regards to higher education, how the COVID-19 pandemic left its mark, as well as how the state plans to spend some of its funding from the American Rescue Plan Act on capital improvement projects for colleges across Missouri.

After a nearly eight year hiatus, former Missouri state Sen. John Lamping returns to Politically Speaking to discuss this year’s unpredictable U.S. Senate primary.
 
 Lamping represented the 24th Senate district from 2011 to 2015. Since then, he’s moved to St. Charles County but knows many of the contenders to succeed U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt well. He noted that he hasn’t endorsed any of the candidates and doesn’t plan to at this point.

Democratic Rep. Sarah Unsicker, whose district includes both St. Louis City and St. Louis County is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. Unsicker joins both St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum to discuss not only the 2022 Missouri Legislative Session, but also the state budget. Unsicker serves on the House Budget Committee and believes the budget that House members passed a few weeks ago underutilizes the surplus Missouri has in its treasury. Unsicker also spoke on her efforts to raise awareness of sex trafficking in the state.

St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum talks with General Services Administration Administrator Robin Carnahan about her first few months on the job — and how her agency will help execute the federal infrastructure bill.

Missouri Senator and member of the Conservative Caucus Bill Eigel is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. Eigel joins St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum to talk about his thoughts on how Missouri should draw its congressional redistricting map. Eigel has been a proponent of a 7-1 majority Republican map, though he ultimately did vote on a map that would likely send six Republicans and two Democrats to Washington. Eigel also spoke on the state of the Senate as well as what he hopes to accomplish this session.

Republican Rep. Bill Hardwick is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. He joins St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg to talk about how he feels the 2022 legislative session has gone so far. Unlike some of his colleagues in the House, Hardwick is less concerned about the pace of the Missouri Senate, saying its doing its job of being more deliberative. Hardwick also spoke on congressional redistricting as well as his bill that bans public entities from issuing COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

The 13th Ward Alderwoman joined Politically Speaking to talk “Zooming while driving,” spending the Rams settlement dollars, and running for re-election.