JEFFERSON CITY — Rep. John Martin, R-Columbia, is the only incumbent facing a challenger in Boone County’s upcoming midterm election among the five current House members.
Martin, representing Missouri’s 44th District, works alongside four Democrat representatives in Boone County who are running unopposed.
Martin said he plans to focus on several main areas: education, infrastructure and public safety. He is also a proponent of tax reforms that Gov. Mike Kehoe has proposed. These concepts fall under Martin’s idea of “limited government.”
“I think it’s important to keep as much money in people’s pockets while, at the same time, meeting, ... basic guidelines of government,” Martin said.
However, Bekki Brewer, Martin’s challenger and a newcomer to the political realm, is choosing to prioritize other policies. She described her campaign as “very grassroots, very kitchen table-ish.” Brewer is campaigning on increased funding in education, health care and affordability, while striving for more representation.
Brewer opposes the elimination of the state income tax. She said this will harm lower- and middle-class families. Brewer said it would lead to an increased sales tax on more products, decreasing the affordability for families in the district.
Martin supports the gradual elimination of the state income tax as a “consumer choice model.” Tennessee, he said, has been outpacing Missouri since it eliminated its state income tax in January 2021. The tax elimination is a gradual plan that should increase wage and overall population, he said.
“To improve the lives of my constituents economically, that, you know, I want to attract, continue to attract businesses into Boone County,” Martin said of his support for the proposal.
Martin said that he is a conservative with common sense values. But Brewer believes that what she terms his “ultra conservative” approach to politics can serve to be harmful in the community.
“We don’t deserve to be continuously divided into these groups and feel like we’re against each other,” Brewer said.
Brewer used to vote along Republican Party lines but now feels that the party does not represent what her or her fellow community members. This was one of the reasons she decided to run as a Democrat when making her political debut.
“Our Republicans are trying to push us towards this very ultra conservative control. It very much feels like we’re being controlled and not represented.” Brewer said.
Many of the residents in Hallsville and among the 44th District voted on more progressive ideas like Amendment 3, the “Right to Reproductive Freedom,” and sick pay. Brewer is a proponent of “your body, your doctor, your choice.”
However, Brewer said Martin has been voting against the will of his constituents down in Jefferson City.
“They’re really starting to learn about how dangerous it can be, to vote in party lines and not vote for the people,” Brewer said.
Brewer has met with local unions, Jobs With Justice and Abortion Action organizations. As someone who has worked in higher education and occupational safety and health for over a decade, she said she wants to improve the wages and working conditions for constituents.
Brewer said that the local teacher retention rate is lower than other districts because of the teaching setting and wages. Substitute teachers will choose to go to Columbia for jobs and leave Hallsville or other smaller towns solely based on a higher hourly rate, sometimes $20 to $25 more per day, Brewer said.
She said more funding for public schools could assist in teacher pay, repairing school facilities and getting up-to-date learning materials.
Martin said he has voted to support multiple school funding bills, specifically the K-12 Foundation Formula to keep funding level for public schools. He is also a proponent of school choice.
“I didn’t tighten the belt on education … because it could have gotten tightened,” Martin said of efforts in the legislature to cut education funding.
Brewer mentioned that in September 2025, Martin was involved in the removal of two Hallsville School District employees after they made social media posts regarding the death of Charlie Kirk. Martin voiced his opinion that the reposts were not in support of Charlie Kirk.
“I joined parents and taxpayers in Hallsville who did not feel safe in sending their kids to class with teachers making those unprofessional Facebook posts, and so I reminded the school board of the state tax dollars being sent to them and their job to provide safe learning environments that are supported by parents of the district,” Martin said in a text message.
Brewer said she viewed his tactics as intimidation and the employees should not have lost their jobs due to a personal social media post “basically saying, I’m focusing on the kids.”
Martin emphasized that it was a community effort that prompted administrative leave and then resignation by the employees.
When asked about Brewer, Martin said that “I don’t really know her very well,” and that he was going to “highlight who I am.”
Brewer said she feels confident that her campaign will encourage voters in November to cast their ballot in her favor.
“We’ve got people who are excited and energized, and I think we’re gonna make all of the county blue,” Brewer said.
Both candidates are making sure to remain visible in the community and interacting with residents in preparation for voting in November.
Martin ran and lost in 2022 for the 47th District against Rep. Adrian Plank, D-Columbia, who has been serving for four years.
Martin purchased a home in the Hallsville School District and established it as his primary residence in the 44th District a year before he ran again in 2024. This allowed him to run and win against Democrat David Raithel.
No opponents filed to run against incumbent Democrats Plank, Kathy Steinhoff (District 45), David Tyson Smith (District 46) and Gregg Bush (District 50).