Local candidates participate in forum as election nears

By Chris Fortune

With two weeks to go until Election Day, local candidates across three races met in a forum Tuesday morning.

Candidates running for Missouri Districts 10 and 13 representative seats and candidates vying for the Buchanan County western district commissioner seat discussed their goals and stances on ballot issues at Stoney Creek Hotel.

District 10 incumbent Republican Bill Falkner appeared with his opponent, Democrat Andrew Gibson, and District 13 incumbent Republican Sean Pouche appeared with his challenger, Democrat Andrea Denning.

They answered questions about Amendment 2, which would legalize sports betting if passed. The representatives held positive views of the amendment since it would require gambling platforms to send a portion of their revenue to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, but Denning encouraged voters to look at all the details of the amendment.

Candidates also discussed Amendment 3, Missouri’s abortion rights amendment, where each candidate expressed opinions that aligned with their party.

“I enjoyed hearing from the incumbents, I enjoyed hearing from the challengers, and basically learning a little bit more of where each one of them comes from and what their priorities are,” said Jeff Penland, president of the St. Joseph Housing Authority.

Incumbent Buchanan County Western District Commissioner Ron Hook, a Democrat, appeared with his Republican challenger Everett Goddard Jr. They took the stage after the District 10 and 13 representative candidates finished their forum.

Each discussed their agenda, how they would balance working with the city of St. Joseph and what role they believe the county should play in economic development, among other issues.

Goddard Jr. said he is looking to bring positive changes to the county by reducing wasteful spending, while Hook praised current county projects, like its combined efforts with the city to incentivize developers to build housing in St. Joseph.

“I was glad to hear on both, the state representatives and county commissioners, that housing was that a top priority with each and every one of them,” Penland said.

St. Joseph resident Loes Hedge said the forum did not influence how she planned to vote in November, but she found it important to learn more about each candidate’s intentions if they were to take office.

“This was a good forum,” she said. “I think people need to get out and vote. No matter who you’re for or who you’re against, or whatever, but just make sure you vote.”