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Election Results Roundup

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Mo. Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder beat out challenger Brad Lager. Conservative U.S. Rep. Todd Akin will face Democratic incumbent Claire McCaskill in the November race for Missouri's Senate seat.

The Right to Pray amendment passed, and so did a ballot measure that raises Missouri sales taxes to pay for improvements to parks and streets.

You can find Tuesday's full election results here at Midwest Democracy. Today at 11 on KCUR and afterward via podcast, Up To Date's Steve Kraske and the Political Pundits will talk Tuesday's results and November predictions.

Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder defeats challenger Sen. Brad Lager

Victory in this primary race sets Kinder up to face former state Auditor, Democrat Susan Montee, in November. If Kinder wins, he'll serve a rare third term as lieutenant governor. Kinder's primary victory overcame attack ads that called him out for using personal funds last year to reimburse the state more than $54,000 for St. Louis hotel stays.

Todd Akin beats Steelman, Brunner in primary, will face McCaskill in the fall

St. Louis area U.S. Rep. Todd Akin won Missouri's Republican U.S. Senate primary nomination Tuesday, defeating opponents former state treasurer Sarah Steelman and St. Louis businessman John Brunner. Akin, a staunch conservative, will face Democratic incumbent Claire McCaskill in November for the U.S. Senate seat. Akin credits his strong faith for his successful campaign, during which he refused to attack his opponents. McCaskill has said that Akin, who's endorsed by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, was her preferred November rival, over Steelman and Brunner.

Conservative Republicans score big victories in Kansas

The Associated Press reports that Kansas' Tuesday primaries resulted in the ousting of seven moderate incumbent senators in favor of more conservative opponents. Both sides spent large amounts of money, though the ousted moderates outspent their challengers by margins up to 3-1. The AP reports:

Some GOP voters transferred their ongoing frustration with Democratic President Barack Obama and the federal health care law he championed to moderate GOP state senators. Some wanted the Senate to be more conservative and more in line with Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback and the state House's right-leaning majority.

For more on conservative victories in Kansas, listen to Frank Morris' piece at NPR.org.

Right to Pray Amendment passes in Missouri

Missouri's Amendment 2, commonly known as the Right to Pray amendment, passed on Tuesday. The amendment reiterates a right protected by the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution that protects individuals' right to pray in public and in schools. The amendment passed with 83 percent of the vote. Critics of the bill claim it is unnecessary and may marginalize religious minorities. Supporters claim it is simply a reiteration of rights.

Kansas City passes Questions 1 & 2

Question 1, which passed with 63 percent of the vote, creates a half-cent sales tax to fund parks and frees up more than $10 million for street maintenance and repairs. Question 2 passed with 80 percent of the vote, meaning the city can take out up to $500 million in new sewer bonds to help with an overflow control project required by the federal government.

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