By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
A lot will be decided in this General Election.
Many state lawmakers are running unopposed. St. Joseph state representatives Brenda Shields and Bill Falkner are unopposed as is Rep. Dean Van Schoiack of Savannah.
State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville does face an opponent. Democrat Sarah Shorter is challenging Luetkemeyer in the 34th Missouri Senatorial District.
Sen. Dan Hegeman of Cosby is leaving the legislature due to term limits, leaving the newly-fashioned 12th Missouri Senatorial District as an open seat. State Rep. Rusty Black of Chillicothe emerged from a crowded Republican primary to secure the party’s nomination. Democrat Michael Baumli of Maryville faces Black in the race. The 12th is one of the largest senate districts in the state.
Term limits also forced state Rep. Allen Andrews of Grant City to leave the General Assembly. Jeff Farnan of Stanberry won the Republican primary and faces Democrat Jess Piper of Maryville in the new 1st Missouri House District comprised of Atchison, Holt, Nodaway, and Gentry Counties.
The major races are the U.S. Senate campaign in Missouri, pitting Republican Eric Schmidt against Democrat Trudy Busch Valentine and the gubernatorial race in Kansas, pitting incumbent Democrat Laura Kelly against Republican Derek Schmidt.
St. Joseph voters will decide a half-cent sales tax to pay for police pay increases.
Missouri voters will decide five issues.
Amendment One would expand investment options available to the state Treasurer. Amendment Three would legalize recreational marijuana. Amendment Four would force Kansas City to spend at least 25% of its budget on police. Amendment Five would make the Missouri National Guard its own state agency. Missouri voters will also be asked whether the state should hold a constitutional convention.
Kansas voters face two constitutional amendments. Question One would give the Kansas legislature authority to overturn state agency regulations. Question Two would authorize Kansas counties to elect their sheriff.