Funding for the University of Missouri was a top priority for former Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee chairman Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia), who served in the Missouri Senate from 2009-2016. Schaefer was only the second Republican in history at the time to hold that seat (Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden is now the third). Former Senator Schaefer has filed to run in Missouri’s new third congressional district, which includes Columbia south of Broadway, Ashland, Hartsburg, Jefferson City, Boonville, California and Fulton. Governor Mike Parson (R) and state lawmakers in both parties joined Mizzou officials in October to break ground on a $20-million expansion of the MU Research Reactor (MURR), which is down the hill from Faurot Field. The MURR is the top-ranked University research reactor in the nation, producing a medical isotope that battles various cancers worldwide. Former Senator Schaefer tells 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” that the University of Missouri is the largest employer in the new district and that, if elected, he will do all he can to help them and the MURR as well. Former Senator Schaefer is also calling for term limits for congressional members and is focusing on illegal immigration. Schaefer tells listeners that eight million illegal immigrants have entered the United States in the past three years, more than the population of 36 other states:
(LISTEN): Former Boone County clerk Taylor Burks announces congressional run on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
Eight-term U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-St. Elizabeth) will be retiring in December, after 16 years on Capitol Hill. Missouri’s new third congressional district includes Columbia south of Broadway, Ashland, Hartsburg, Fulton, Boonville, California, Kingdom City, Holts Summit, Jefferson City, Linn and New Florence. It also includes Wentzville and O’Fallon. Former Boone County clerk Taylor Burks announced his run to try to replace Congressman Luetkemeyer, during a live interview on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” this morning. Mr. Burks tells listeners that he’s the only candidate who’s looking at this race from mid-Missouri, and that the district should be represented by someone from central Missouri. State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R-Arnold) and former State Sen. Bob Onder (R-Lake St. Louis) are also running. Mr. Burks criticized the redistricting process that drew the new boundaries, saying central Missouri “got sliced up by some jokers in Jefferson City.” National security is a top priority for Mr. Burks, who’s a veteran. He’s also touting transportation, saying service roads along I-70 from St. Louis to Columbia literally run out and that must change:
(LISTEN): Former Boone County clerk Taylor Burks announces congressional run on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
Eight-term U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-St. Elizabeth) will be retiring in December, after 16 years on Capitol Hill. Missouri’s new third congressional district includes Columbia south of Broadway, Ashland, Hartsburg, Fulton, Boonville, California, Kingdom City, Holts Summit, Jefferson City, Linn and New Florence. It also includes Wentzville and O’Fallon. Former Boone County clerk Taylor Burks announced his run to try to replace Congressman Luetkemeyer, during a live interview on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” this morning. Mr. Burks tells listeners that he’s the only candidate who’s looking at this race from mid-Missouri, and that the district should be represented by someone from central Missouri. State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R-Arnold) and former State Sen. Bob Onder (R-Lake St. Louis) are also running. Mr. Burks criticized the redistricting process that drew the new boundaries, saying central Missouri “got sliced up by some jokers in Jefferson City.” National security is a top priority for Mr. Burks, who’s a veteran. He’s also touting transportation, saying service roads along I-70 from St. Louis to Columbia literally run out and that must change:
Veteran mid-Missouri congressman not seeking re-election
A congressman who represents part of Columbia and much of mid-Missouri will retire in December, after seven two-year terms on Capitol Hill.
U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-St. Elizabeth) made his announcement on Thursday, saying it’s been an honor to serve Missouri’s third congressional district over the years. Congressman Luetkemeyer represents Columbia south of Broadway, as well as southern Boone County towns like Ashland and Hartsburg. His sprawling district also includes Jefferson City, Fulton, Boonville, Linn, Eldon and New Florence.
Congressman Luetkemeyer was first elected to northeast Missouri’s old ninth congressional district in 2008, a district that included Columbia at the time. The old ninth district did not include Jefferson City. Luetkemeyer beat State Rep. Judy Baker (D-Columbia) by about 9,000 votes out of approximately 322,000 ballots cast.
(AUDIO): State Rep. Cheri Toalson Reisch (R-Hallsville) appears on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
Veteran State Rep. Cheri Toalson Reisch (R-Hallsville) is about to begin her fourth and final term in the Missouri House. While her newly drawn district still includes Centralia and Hallsville, it now also includes Hartsburg. Representative Toalson Reisch tells 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” that she’s thankful on this Thanksgiving for her family, including her children and grandchildren. She’s looking forward to January, and also supports an idea from State Rep. David Tyson Smith (D-Columbia) of both sides of the aisle eating meals together in Jefferson City: