It’s been awhile since voters in District 110 have had a choice to make concerning a state representative, but that will be the case on Nov. 6.
Since the maps of Missouri’s General Assembly districts were redrawn following the 2010 Census, Republican Timothy Jones was the only candidate to seek the seat in 2012.
He was replaced by Kirk Mathews, another Republican, also the sole candidate for either party in 2014 and 2016.
Mathews, of Pacific, opted not to run for a third two-year term to return to the private sector and to help his wife attend to her ill father.
Republican Dottie Bailey of Eureka, who works in the financial industry, won the August primary election against Matt Doell and will face Democrat Cody Kelley, a teachers’ aide from Pacific in the general election.
State senators and representatives receive a $35,915 annual salary plus mileage and $115 per day in expenses for each day the General Assembly is in session.
BAILEY, 44, lives at 605 Meramec View, Eureka. She has two children. She works for Mortgage Solutions Financial. She received a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University in 1997. She has been on the St. Louis Mortgage Bankers Board of Governors since 2017, the board of the St. Louis Tea Party Coalition since 2015, has been involved with the Heritage Foundation-Heritage Action for America Sentinel since 2015 and is one of the founders of the Heritage Sentinel Real Estate Action Arm. She has volunteered for many conservative candidates.
Social media: Website: dottiebailey.com Twitter: @repdottieb4mo Facebook: Dottie For Missouri
KELLEY, 28, lives at 1809 Hwy. N, Pacific. He is a special education teachers aide at Pacific High School. He received a bachelor’s degree in media studies from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 2017. He has been a member of the Pacific Jaycees since 2001, has been on the Historic Pacific First Baptist Church Restoration Committee since 2017 and coaches baseball at Pacific High School and for the American Legion.
Social media: Website: KelleyforMissouri.com Facebook: Cody Kelley for State Representative 110th
What are your thoughts on how to protect insurance coverage for Missourians who have pre-existing conditions?
Bailey: A possible solution would be to have insurers cover individuals with pre-existing conditions and young people on their parents’ insurance, up to age 26.
Kelley: It is time for members from both parties to sit down and come up with a state health care plan where we can fix some of the problems with the Affordable Care Act. This plan should start with certain things built into it such as pre-existing conditions and funding so every child has insurance options. If we work together, this is very possible to accomplish and I will love to work with any members from any party.
Missourians voted overwhelmingly against a “right to work” amendment in the August election. Legislative leaders have said they may introduce a similar bill next year. If “right to work” comes up during your term, how will you vote and why?
Bailey: The marketing for the past election in August against “right to work” was absolutely incorrect. They said it would reduce wages and they tried to scare union members to vote no. “Right to work” ends forced unionism and lets workers decide whether joining a union best serves their interests. “Right-to-work” states attract more companies, existing unions will be more responsive to the concerns of members and the employees will have greater control in negotiations with their employer.
Kelley: I am a member of the Missouri NEA, so I will never vote for “right to work” or any anti-labor bills.
Will you vote for or against Proposition D, the transportation tax on the November ballot? Why?
Bailey: I will be voting against Proposition D. There is a Reagan solution for roads. The federal government collects a fuel tax and this money should stay in Missouri. Using the federal tax that we already pay on fuel would be sufficient for new infrastructure and there would be no need for a fuel tax increase or tolls. This isn't a tax we give the federal government; they just take it. The state Legislature should pass resolutions urging our Washington delegation to pass the Transportation Empowerment Act. It’s been on the table in the House since 2015.
Kelley: I will vote no. This was a problem caused by past legislative bodies. I am not a supporter of any tax increase, especially one that will take more money out of the pockets of hard-working Missourians.
If the U.S. Supreme Court rules that Roe v. Wade is a state matter, what would you advocate for?
Bailey: The matter of life to me is of the upmost importance. I would uphold and promote the sanctity of all innocent human life from inception to natural death. I have been endorsed by the Missouri Right to Life; all life is precious and should be defended.
Kelley: I will never take away a woman’s choice; however I would like to limit the time frame and would like to see Missouri have one of the best adoption programs in the nation.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Bailey: I believe in limited good government and free markets. I trust people to work hard and make their own decisions. The best thing government can do is get out of their way. I would like to introduce a bill that would impose a limit on rules and regulations so that a new regulation can be added only if an existing regulation is eliminated. I would work to amend or repeal regulations that strangle small business, giving businesses a level playing field with less red tape, allowing the free market to work.
Kelley: I am not a career politician and my loyalty is with the people and not my party. My goals are to host town halls in my district to stay in touch with the stances the people have on issues. I would like to fully fund our education system as children are the best investment we can make for Missouri’s future. I also want to take on the opioid epidemic that is hurting so many.