Politically Speaking

It’s been one year since COVID-19 fundamentally changed how Missourians, and the rest of the world, lived. 
 
 And the pandemic also transformed politics in Missouri and in the St. Louis region. It fostered divisions on a multitude of fronts, from whether policymakers should reopen schools to if local or state governments should require masks. And it also shone a spotlight on executive leaders — and public health officials who typically stay out of the media’s glare.
 
 On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, five St. Louis Public Radio reporters gave their takeaways about how the virus changed politics and them.

State Rep. Tony Lovasco is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where the Republican House member from St. Charles County talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jaclyn Driscoll about the big issues that his colleagues are dealing with during the 2021 session. Lovasco represents Missouri’s 64th House District, which takes in parts of St. Charles and Lincoln Counties. Some of the cities he represents include O’Fallon, Moscow Mills, St. Paul, Josephville and St. Paul.

St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum and Rachel Lippmann break down the results of the March primary for St. Louis mayor — and look to how the candidates stack up with each other in April.

State Rep. Jo Doll of Webster Groves is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where the freshman Democratic lawmaker talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum about her first few weeks in office. Doll represents Missouri’s 83rd district, which takes in portions of Richmond Heights, Webster Groves, Brentwood, Maplewood and St. Louis. In addition to being a state lawmaker, Doll is also a member of the Webster Groves Board of Education.

State Rep. Bill Hardwick is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where the Waynesville Republican talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jonathan Ahl about his first impressions of being a member of the Missouri House. Hardwick represents Missouri’s 122nd District, which takes in Fort Leonard Wood and other portions of Pulaski County. He was first elected in November, succeeding Steve Lynch who was term limited.

Sen. Brian Williams is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where the University City Democrat talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jaclyn Driscoll about his legislation changing some police practices.
 
 Williams represents the 14th Senate District, which takes in St. Louis County municipalities such as Clayton, Normandy, Ferguson and Northwoods. He was elected to his post in 2018.

Board of Aldermen president Lewis Reed discusses executive power, leasing St. Louis-Lambert International Airport and marketing the city with Rachel Lippmann

Utility executive and mayoral candidate Andrew Jones talks to Rachel Lippmann about his plan for the city.

State Rep. Peggy McGaugh is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where the Carrollton Republican spoke with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum about what’s next for absentee voting in Missouri. McGaugh also discussed her reaction to Gov. Mike Parson’s State of the State speech, including the impending expansion of Medicaid.

St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum and Jaclyn Driscoll break down Gov. Mike Parson's 2021 State of the State speech, which was defined by a change of venue and his promise to deliver on Medicaid expansion.

The St. Louis treasurer and candidate for mayor speaks to St. Louis Public Radio's Rachel Lippmann

The 20th Ward alderwoman and candidate for mayor joins us to talk about her plan to tap into the city's "endless potential"

State Rep. Barbara Phifer is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where the Kirkwood Democrat talked to St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum about her first couple of weeks in the Missouri General Assembly.
 
 Phifer was elected last year to represent the 90th District after then-Rep. Deb Lavender vacated her seat in an unsuccessful run for the state Senate. Her district includes places like Kirkwood, Glendale, Rock Hill and Oakland.

Former Sen. Jamilah Nasheed looks back at her legislative career — and talks with St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum about the future of St. Louis politics.

St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum, Jaclyn Driscoll and Eric Schmid sort out what Wednesday's insurrection at the U.S. Capitol means for federal politics in Illinois and Missouri. And it examines the backlash over U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley being the first senator to object to Joe Biden's Electoral College victory.

The former state lawmaker looks back at her 16 years of service in the Missouri House and Missouri Senate.

St. Louis Public Radio's politics team breaks down the top five stories of 2020 (and some honorable mentions that didn't make the cut). Featuring analysis from St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum, Jonathan Ahl, Jaclyn Driscoll, Eric Schmid and Rachel Lippmann.

State Rep. Peter Merideth is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where he joined St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jaclyn Driscoll to talk about his effort to legalize recreational marijuana.
 
 The St. Louis Democrat also discussed how he thinks his party will fare next year in the Missouri House, where Republicans hold a commanding majority for yet another year.

St. Louis County Councilwoman-elect Shalonda Webb is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where she talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum about her priorities for the north St. Louis County-based 4th District.
 
 The Democrat won the race to represent the district in November. It includes municipalities like Florissant, Bellefontaine Neighbors and Black Jack, as well as unincorporated communities like Spanish Lake. She’ll take office in January.

State Rep.-elect Chad Perkins joined St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum on the latest episode of Politically Speaking to talk about his election to the Missouri House and northeast Missouri’s political metamorphosis The Bowling Green Republican won an election to represent Missouri’s 40th District, which takes in portions of Pike, Ralls, Monroe and Lincoln Counties. He is succeeding state Rep. Jim Hansen, a Frankford Republican who was barred from running again due to term limits.

House Speaker Elijah Haahr reflects on his eight years in the Missouri House, which included two years as the Missouri House's top Republican leader.

State Rep.-elect Fogle was the only Democrat or Republican to flip a state legislative seat during the 2020 election cycle. And Springfield Republican with experience in public health care wants to focus on expanding Medicaid and access to health care services in the Missouri House.

State Rep. Kip Kendrick returns to the definitive program about Missouri politics to talk about why he's leaving the Missouri House, and why term limits played a role in his decision to go work for state Sen.-elect Greg Razer, D-Kansas City.

State Rep.-elect Adam Schwadron is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where he talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum about his election to the Missouri House, and some of his priorities and expectations. Schwadron is a St. Charles County Republican who defeated Democrat Cindy Berne earlier this month to represent the 106th District. That includes a portion of St. Charles that is more politically competitive than other parts of the county.

The Affton Democratic senator reflects on his party's dismal showing in this month's elections. Missouri Democrats got walloped in statewide contests, and also fell short in key congressional and state legislative races.

St. Louis Public Radio's political team goes in-depth on the results and takeaways from Tuesday's Missouri and Illinois elections.

Sean Soendker Nicholson, who is leading the campaign to defeat Amendment 3 on the Nov. 3 ballot, is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. Nicholson talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum about why voters should reject the measure that overhauls Missouri’s state legislative redistricting system.

Missouri Farm Bureau President Blake Hurst makes his case for why the state's voters should back Amendment 3, which would overhaul the state legilsative redistricting procedures.

Betsy Dirksen Londrigan joins St. Louis Public Radio's Jaclyn Driscoll and Eric Schmid to discuss the highly-competitive 13th District Congressional Race in Illinois.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where he spoke to St. Louis Public Radio’s Jaclyn Driscoll and Jason Rosenbaum about his campaign for a full four-year term. Parson became governor in June 2018 after ascending to the post from the lieutenant governorship following Eric Greitens’ resignation. He easily won a GOP primary earlier this year and is squaring off against state Auditor Nicole Galloway in one of the most competitive gubernatorial elections in the nation.

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where he spoke with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum his re-election campaign. Ashcroft was first elected to the statewide posts that monitors elections, securities and libraries in 2016. He’s running this cycle against Democrat Yinka Faleti, who recorded an episode of Politically Speaking earlier this year. Since the four other Republicans running for statewide offices either ascended to or were appointed to their posts, Ashcroft is the only GOP hopeful running for a second term in the office he was elected to in 2016.

Republican Attorney General Eric Schmitt joins St. Louis Public Radio's Rachel Lippmann and Jason Rosenbaum to talk about his attention-grabbing lawsuits, fighting violent crime, and the race for his old state Senate seat.

Congressman Rodney Davis of Illinois talks with St. Louis Public Radio's Jaclyn Driscoll and Eric Schmid about his high-profile race for re-election in the state's 13th Congressional District.

Congresswoman Ann Wagner is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. The Ballwin Republican talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum about her competitive race for re-election against state Sen. Jill Schupp. Wagner represents Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District, which takes in portions of St. Louis, St. Charles and Jefferson counties. Her contest against Schupp is considered one of the more competitive House matchups in the nation, which some political prognosticators signaling the race is a tossup.

Democrat Richard Orr talks about his re-match with Sen. Bill Eigel in a race to represent parts of St. Charles County in the Missouri Senate.

The Weldon Springs Republicans join STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum in a majestic Cottleville St. Louis Bread Company patio to talk about his bid for re-election.

Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe joins St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jaclyn Driscoll to talk about his campaign for a full-four year term. Kehoe is running against Democrat Alissia Canady on November 3. He was appointed to his post in 2018 after then-Lt. Gov. Mike Parson ascended to the governorship. This is Kehoe’s first statewide contest.

Sen. Andrew Koenig returns to Politically Speaking to talk with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum about his re-election campaign in Missouri’s 15th Senate District.
 
 Koenig represents cities like Ballwin, Manchester, Valley Park and Kirkwood. He’s squaring off against state Rep. Deb Lavender, D-Kirkwood, in a contest most observers believe is the most competitive legislative race in the state this year.

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Nicole Galloway joins St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jaclyn Driscoll to talk about some of the key issues in the closely watched contest against Gov. Mike Parson.

St. Louis County Councilman Ernie Trakas talks about why voters in the 6th District should give him another four years in office.

David Lenihan is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where the GOP candidate talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum on his candidacy for the 1st District Missouri Senate seat. Lenihan is running against Democratic state Rep. Doug Beck in the district that takes in parts of unincorporated south St. Louis County, Crestwood, Maplewood and Webster Groves. That part of St. Louis County has typically been competitive.

State Rep. Doug Beck is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where he spoke with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum about his bid for the 1st Senate District. The Affton Democrat is running against Republican David Lenihan for the seat, which takes in parts of unincorporated south St. Louis County, Crestwood, Maplewood and Webster Groves. The district is widely seen as one of the more competitive in Missouri. Lenihan also recorded an episode of Politically Speaking that will be posted in the coming days.

State Sen. Jill Schupp is the latest guest on Politically Speaking for the record-tying sixth time to talk about her bid against Congresswoman Ann Wagner in Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District.
 
 Schupp has served as a state senator in the St. Louis County-based 24th District since 2015. She is seeking to represent portions of St. Louis, St. Charles and Jefferson Counties in Congress.
 
 Wagner has been invited to record an episode of Politically Speaking in the coming days.

State Rep. Bob Burns is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where he joined St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Rachel Lippmann to talk about his campaign for the St. Louis County Council’s 6th District seat. In the Missouri House Burns represents the 93rd District, which takes in portions of Affton, Lemay and Bella Villa. He’s running against Councilman Ernie Trakas for the right to represent the south St. Louis County-based district. That race is the most competitive general election for a county council seat in November.

Missouri Democratic attorney general nominee Rich Finneran is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. He joined St. Louis Public Radio’s Rachel Lippmann and Jason Rosenbaum to discuss his campaign against Republican incumbent Eric Schmitt. Finneran defeated Elad Gross in the August Democratic primary for attorney general. He and Schmitt will square off in the Nov. 3 general election. Schmitt has been invited to record an episode of Politically Speaking in the coming days.

The Democratic circuit attorney joins host Rachel Lippmann to talk about long-term solutions to crime and the November general election.

State Rep. Raychel Proudie joined St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jaclyn Driscoll to talk about the jarring end to the 2020 special session on violent crime, which saw some of Gov. Mike Parson’s policy priorities fall by the wayside. Proudie is a Ferguson Democrat who represents the 73rd District, which includes parts of Ferguson, Berkeley, Kinloch, St. Ann and Hazelwood. She was first elected in 2018 and is unopposed for re-election in November.

Former state Rep. Vicki Englund joins Politically Speaking to discuss her state treasurer bid. Englund served two non-consecutive terms in the Missouri House.

Missouri Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick returns to Politically Speaking to talk with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jaclyn Driscoll about his bid for a full four-year term. The Republican statewide officeholder is squaring off against Democrat Vicki Englund in November. Englund is planning on recording an episode of Politically Speaking in the coming days.

St. Louis County Councilwoman Lisa Clancy is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where she joined St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum to talk about efforts to drum up more money for early childhood education programs. Clancy is a Maplewood Democrat who was elected to represent the St. Louis County Council’s 5th District in 2018. She currently serves as the chairwoman of the council.