There are only a few legislative races this November, but one of the most dynamic—and expensive—is taking place in eastern Jackson County. The Majority Floor Leader of the Missouri House Mike Cierpiot was considered a likely choice to succeed fellow Republican Will Kraus, who resigned to take a state job. Democrats recruited a strong challenger in Hillary Shields, a co-founder of the Indivisible KC political organizing group. And the race got really interesting when Jacob Turk, the perennial Republican challenger in Emanuel Cleaver’s last six elections to Congress, collected enough signatures to get on this state Senate ballot as an independent.
KCUR 89.3 and the League of Women's Voters of Kansas City, Jackson, Clay and Platte Counties co-sponsored a candidate forum on Oct. 25 at John Knox Village in Lee's Summit. The three candidates squared off on issues ranging from the economy and health care to education and campaign contributions.
The forum was the last public event involving all three candidates before Election Day, and Statehouse Blend Missouri presents it here in its entirety.
Participants:
- Rep. Mike Cierpiot, Republican
- Hillary Shields, Democrat
- Jacob Turk, Independent
- KCUR's Brian Ellison, moderator
