Republican Elaine Freeman Gannon is seeking a third term in the Missouri House of Representatives, but faces two challengers in the Nov. 8 general election – Democrat Barbara Stocker and Libertarian Charles D. Bigelow.
All three are from De Soto.
District 115 includes parts of south Jefferson County, northwest Ste. Genevieve County and northern St. Francois County.
State representatives serve two-year terms. The pay is $35,915 per year, a weekly allowance for miles traveled going to and returning from meetings, and expenses for each day the General Assembly is in session.
STOCKER, 80, lives at 2518 Meredith Drive in De Soto. She and her husband, the late Richard Stocker, have three children and six grandchildren. She is retired after working in a regulatory capacity in the Department of Safety and Environmental Health at Monsanto. She received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a master’s degree in biochemistry, both from West Virginia University. She has served on the Jefferson College Board of Trustees since 2015 and has been a member of the Jefferson County Growth Association since 2016.
Social media: Facebook: Campaign for Stocker Twitter: @stocker115
GANNON, 63, lives at 5226 Hwy. H, De Soto. She and her husband, Dennis, have two sons. She is a retired junior high physical education teacher and coach for the De Soto School District. A 1971 graduate of Bismarck High School, she received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Southeast Missouri State University. She is a member of the De Soto Chamber of Commerce, the Bonne Terre Chamber of Commerce, the Jefferson County Growth Association, the Jefferson County Republican Club, the Republican Women Legislators and the National Rifle Association. She also volunteered for the Get Healthy De Soto Christmas Home Tour Committee from 2010-2013.
BIGELOW, 68, lives at 18 Monte Rosa, De Soto. He and his wife, Katherine “Kate” Bigelow, have two children and two grandchildren. He is a retired clerk and timekeeper from Union Pacific Railroad. He was in the U.S. Air Force from 1971-1975, working in nuclear weapons technology. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in vocational studies, both from the University of Wyoming. He has been a member of the American Legion since 1978, is a coordinator for the Boys State program and is active with the men’s group at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church.
What role, if any, should the General Assembly take on regulating abortion?
Stocker: The decision whether to have an abortion is a very personal one and should be left to the woman involved and those she wishes to share with or ask to support her. The General Assembly should stop wasting the taxpayers’ money and time seeking to restrict or make abortion services unavailable and work on issues important to all Missourians.
Gannon: I am pro-life but do acknowledge, as must all 50 state legislatures, the Supreme Court decision that legalizes abortion. That being said, having an abortion is a serious decision for a woman to make. In 2014, the General Assembly overrode Gov. Nixon’s veto of House Bill 1307, which extended the waiting period before an abortion is performed from 24 hours to 72 hours. The law does not change the Supreme Court decision. It does, however, allow a woman more time to reflect on her situation, research information about any possible medical consequences and learn about alternative help and resources.
Bigelow: None.
What should be done to address partisan nastiness in the Legislature?
Stocker: My opponent and I have agreed to treat each other with respect and avoid negativity and nastiness in the campaign. We will disagree on the issues of course, but not but in a respectful manner. I would continue this attitude while in the Legislature and respect the legislators by virtue of their position but continue to support the issues I believe in.
Gannon: I have many friends on both sides of the aisle. Being nasty to fellow legislators is not part of my personality. Nothing is to be gained by making offensive, unpleasant, annoying, mean, spiteful, filthy remarks aimed at another legislator. I try to treat all legislators with respect and dignity.
Bigelow: Robert’s Rules of Order and reminders to maintain civility and respect for all other members at every meeting should suffice.
What programs or services should be cut to balance the state budget?
Stocker: Missouri has already cut vital services and programs way too far. After eliminating waste and inefficiencies, further cuts can actually increase costs. Missouri does not have a spending program, it has a revenue problem. I would certainly support an increase in the gasoline tax to provide the Missouri Department of Transportation money to maintain and expand out roads. Beyond that I would consider raising taxes on the wealthiest Missourians. These funds would be invested in infrastructure, public transportation, education, research and start-up businesses. This would expand our economy, bring needed jobs and ultimately bring more into Missouri’s treasury.
Gannon: Over the past four years, revenue has increased. The Legislature looks for leadership from the governor for spending and making cuts in programs or services. Over the last 10 years, 10,000 jobs have been cut out of the budget and 15 percent has been cut from the budget. More cuts can be made if people want to have less good and safe roads, release prisoners who should not be released and reduce spending for health services. The key to growing more revenue is creating more jobs, which means fewer programs or services will be cut. Creating more jobs can be done without placing more tax burden on Missouri taxpayers.
Bigelow: I would support the reduction or elimination of that portion of university and public school allotments for athletics, as insurance, transportation, lighting, cleaning and other related costs significantly add to those school budgets, but provide health benefits to few students.
Explain your position on Medicaid expansion.
Stocker: Failure of the Missouri Legislature to pass Medicaid expansion has been devastating to our state. It has left $19 billion sitting on the table, produced adverse medical outcomes, cost 24,000 new jobs, closed hospitals and cost more than 2,000 Missourians their lives. I will fight to get this vital legislation passed.
Gannon: Approximately 90 percent of Medicaid is paid by the federal government and the other 10 percent by the state. Republican legislators should vote to increase the enrollment for Medicaid if the federal government would guarantee paying its share of the increased cost to adding more people to the Medicaid enrollment. Medicaid is already taking a large part of the state’s budget and will continue to take more money if more people are added and health care costs continue to increase. The state will be on the hook if the federal government does not increase its share. Medicaid needs to be overhauled. Arkansas has received approval to overhaul its Medicaid program by cutting down on waste and fraud.
Bigelow: Although Medicaid costs are high, I don’t believe we can cut this budget, as more families and individuals lose employment and income. Expansion may be necessary as more people qualify under existing standards.
Should the General Assembly impose limits on donations to political campaigns? What changes would you advocate, if any?
Stocker: Yes. Unlimited campaign contributions has led to a takeover of our governments by special interests at the expense of workers, the middle class and average Americans. I would restore the previous limits.
Gannon: I would support limits on donations to political campaigns if there is transparency. This means the proposed law would have to spell out accountability for who gave the money and who received the money.
Bigelow: Experience shows limits are difficult to enforce as donors simply use political action committees and other bypass approaches to donate beyond individual limits.
Do you support your party’s nominee for president? Explain why or why not.
Stocker: Yes. Hillary Clinton is arguably the most qualified candidate in American history. With more than 20 years of public service, she is ready to assume the role of leader of the free world, commander-in-chief and all the other duties a leader must perform. The trust issue has been fabricated by right-wing propagandists while avoiding any scrutiny of her opponent.
Gannon: I support Donald Trump. It is time for a change. Electing Hillary Clinton is not a change but a continuation of the failed Obama policies. A major issue is the economy. Trump intends to lower the federal debt and stimulate the economy by lifting repressive federal regulations. Obama and Clinton’s foreign policy has not yielded a safer United States. Electing Trump sends a clear message to terrorists that his administration will seek peace with diplomacy but will not hesitate to use force to protect American citizens. The next president may have the opportunity to appoint a Supreme Court justice. The recent challenge of our constitutional rights – religion, the Second Amendment, speech – will be decided by this court. We need a conservative president.
Bigelow: Yes. Gary Johnson has experience as a governor and has been active in government for years. He responds thoughtfully and clearly to questions and shows understanding of major issues, in spite of his recent blank on a question about Aleppo he made no excuses for his memory lapse.