果酱视频

Sens. Karla May and Brian Williams, representing the solidly Democratic 4th and 14th senatorial districts, respectively, are term-limited and thus unable to run for reelection.

Former state Rep. Peter Merideth, D-果酱视频, is strongly considering a run for the 4th District seat, he told the Post-Dispatch. Current state Rep. Steve Butz, D-果酱视频, has already announced that he is running for the seat, and former state Rep. Gina Mitten, D-Richmond Heights, said Monday she is running.

The 4th District takes in parts of the city鈥檚 southwest corner, stretching from Tower Grove Park west and from areas around Forest Park south. It also takes in all of Clayton, Brentwood, Maplewood, Richmond Heights, Rock Hill and Warson Woods.

Both Butz and Merideth criticized each other鈥檚 vision for the district in interviews with the Post-Dispatch. Merideth argued for strong progressive leadership in the face of 鈥渇ar-right extremism.鈥�

Butz disagreed, arguing a 鈥渕ore reasoned moderate voice鈥� with a focus on public safety and public education is a better way forward.

Butz is one of the most conservative members of the Democratic caucus, describing himself as 鈥減ro-life鈥� on abortion rights and a supporter of the state taking over control of the 果酱视频 Metropolitan Police Department.

In his time in the House, Merideth became known for giving rousing speeches and engaging in tough debate with colleagues.

鈥淚鈥檓 not sure that he (Butz) is the kind of progressive fighter that I think we need, and that these times call for in a district that is one of the most progressive in the state,鈥� Merideth said.

A central tenet to Butz鈥檚 centrism is a strong desire to earmark money from the state budget for the 果酱视频 region.

鈥淚f an ultra-progressive from the city of 果酱视频 would get elected, I can assure you, they won鈥檛 be effective here in bringing anything back to the St Louis region,鈥� Butz said.

He added that legislative leaders from Kansas City are better able to 鈥減lay ball鈥� in Jefferson City to bring money back to their region by operating more from the center.

Kansas City Democrats got almost $50 million more in earmarks in the current fiscal year budget than 果酱视频 and 果酱视频 County Democrats, .

But Merideth, who served as the top Democrat on the House Budget committee, said during his eight years in the House he has proven himself and getting things done with Republicans 鈥渨hile at the same time being a very loud voice of opposition to a lot of what鈥檚 happening there (in Jefferson City).鈥�

14th District

The 14th District encompasses a large swath of 果酱视频 County, from University City north to Ferguson and west to Hazelwood and the Missouri River.

A pair of relative outsiders 鈥� Shante Duncan and Joseph Palm 鈥� have already kicked off their campaigns, while state Reps. Raychel Proudie of Ferguson and Doug Clemens of St. Ann are also making moves to run.

Shante Duncan runs a 果酱视频 nonprofit that provides safe housing for women who are victims of domestic violence. The organization, Sisters Helping Each Other Reach a Higher Height, also teaches people how to identify and prevent trafficking of girls.

If elected Duncan said she would prioritize improving public education, helping local small businesses thrive and ensuring access to quality health care.

As someone deeply ingrained in her community, Duncan said she won鈥檛 forget her constituents like many legislators do when they go to Jefferson City.

鈥淚鈥檝e always led from my heart, I鈥檝e always led with community first,鈥� Duncan said.

Duncan does have some institutional support within the Democratic Party. She鈥檚 worked for the party and for 果酱视频 Democratic Sen. Steven Roberts Jr. in the past. Roberts鈥� father, Steven Roberts Sr., has already donated to Duncan鈥檚 campaign.

Joseph Palm was one of many Biden-era appointees terminated when President Donald Trump took office. Palm was a regional director within the Department of Health and Human Services covering a large swath of midwestern states and Native tribes.

Before working at HHS, Palm led the Office of Minority Health at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. While working for the state, Palm had a leadership role in COVID-19 vaccination efforts and opioid addiction prevention.

鈥淚 decided to jump in the race to fight for health care, public safety, mental health (and) senior (services),鈥� Palm said. 鈥淚 have to fight for Medicaid,鈥� he added.

While Proudie鈥檚 name has been mentioned, she told the Post-Dispatch she is focused on serving her district not looking ahead at higher office.

Clemens, for his part, said he is 鈥渃onsidering鈥� a run. A political action committee has been opened in recent days in support of Clemens. Clemens has long been active in fighting against Missouri鈥檚 puppy mills. He also voted 鈥減resent鈥� when the House approved the police takeover bill.