Holly Jones, a Republican, is seeking reelection to the Missouri House of Representatives District 88 seat and is facing Democratic challenger John Kiehne in the Nov. 5 general election.
District 88 covers part of St. Louis County, including Eureka.
The term is for two years, and Missouri state legislators receive an annual salary of $39,264, according to the 2023-2024 Official Manual State of Missouri.
Jones did not return a Leader survey.
Kiehne, 57, of Pacific is a musician, producer, songwriter, recording artist, instructor, engineer, and content creator. He owns Kiehne Media LLC. He attended University of Missouri-St. Louis and Webster University. He is married to Michelle and has six children and two grandchildren.
What experience do you have (elected office, civic organization membership, volunteer work, etc.) that might serve you well in this position?
Kiehne: I’ve acted as a foster provider, legal guardian, activist and advocate for people, including housing, nurturing, educating and seeking and accessing resources for victims of domestic violence and neglect. I served on the board for an organization that provided in-home services to the elderly, infirmed and disabled who reside in three rural Missouri counties. I also hold several leadership positions in the Democratic Party, including committeeman for Meramec Township and chair of the 26th Senate District Democratic Committee, and I represent the 26th Senate District on the Missouri Democratic Party’s State Committee.
What specific needs exist in your district, and how would you address them?
Kiehne: I’ll work to strengthen and expand the middle class that makes up most of District 88, while working to improve the lives of Missouri residents statewide. I will advocate for policies that support our public schools and libraries; ensure that our roads and bridges are safe and well-maintained; and support our critical local services like law enforcement and our first responders. I’ll advocate for policies that help create jobs that pay a living wage or better and that promote economic growth. I’ll also advocate for policies that benefit working families and work to make health care more affordable and accessible.
According to many state legislators, the latest session wasn’t as productive as they would have liked with a near record-low number of bills passed. What do you think needs changed to address the problem?
Kiehne: By opposing measures supported by both Democratic and Republican members of Missouri’s General Assembly and as a result of near-constant infighting amongst the Republican members, the Republican “Freedom Caucus” has too often prevented meaningful and effective legislation from being debated, perfected and passed. Republican legislators hold a supermajority in both the Missouri House and Senate, and they should be able to pass bills without a single Democratic vote, so if we had fewer “Freedom Caucus” members jamming up the system and attacking their fellow Republican legislators, the Missouri General Assembly would most likely be much more effective.
State legislation recently was passed that raises the minimum teacher salary to $40,000, with no state funding mechanism attached. Do you think the state provides enough funding for education and why?
Kiehne: Missouri has underfunded our public education system for years, and we have the lowest base teacher’s salary in the nation and well over 100 school districts on four-day weeks to show for it. Year after year, our state government fails to meet its obligations to our students and teachers, as well as our disabled, elderly, veterans and working-class folks, and many rural communities have been suffering for decades, struggling to fund their schools and pay their teachers a competitive salary. Our state government must serve the people and invest in our future.
State legislators have proposed bills aimed at making it harder to amend the state constitution through an initiative petition. Do you support these efforts and why?
Kiehne: I don’t support efforts to raise the threshold to pass ballot initiatives. Voters in our state have repeatedly supported policies that the majority of our legislators either don’t support or aren’t willing to pass in our state Legislature. The Republican legislators who hold supermajorities in both our House and Senate have been allowed to dominate and control the progress of numerous measures moving (or not moving) through the Legislature. I believe that balanced representation of perspectives for lawmaking would help our state to better represent the best interests of Missouri residents statewide.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Kiehne: For the past 17 years, I’ve fought for victims of violence and neglect, and as a result, I’ve worked with Children’s Division, our Family Courts, educators, behavioral health facilities and skilled nursing, and I’ve helped manage and facilitate psychological and psychiatric care. For the past 40 years, I’ve run a small business, and I’ve worked long hours at low wage jobs and know what it’s like to raise a family while managing a career and a household. I want to see Missouri’s General Assembly be more effective in meeting its obligations and serving the needs of the people of Missouri.