Beal, Martin battle for Republican nomination for Missouri’s 44th District

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

For the first time in eight years, someone other than Cheri Toalson Reisch (R-Hallsville) will represent Missouri’s 44th district.

Bryce Beal and John Martin would each like to see the district remain red. but first must go head-to-head in the Aug. 6 primary. The winner will face Democrat Dave Raithel, who is running unopposed in his primary. 

Beal and Martin come from different backgrounds. Beal was born in Illinois and said he was raised in a single-wide trailer with seven people living inside of it, at one point. He went to law school in Missouri and began his career in the Missouri Attorney General’s office. 

Martin was born in Centralia, is a former pastor, and owns a business in Columbia. While they share most of the same views -- they describe themselves as being pro-gun, are against abortion and support charter schools -- they each have slightly different approaches on how to handle some of the issues facing Mid-Missouri. 

Beal said his primary focuses are the economy, illegal immigration and strengthening prosecution. 

“I've heard from folks in law enforcement and also from my own experience is that we need better prosecution, we need more prosecutors, and we need them there for a longer time so that they get the hang of things and can effectively prosecute and keep the criminals off our streets once the cops do the hard work of catching them,” Beal said. 

Part of his plan for creating more jobs includes working with the University of Missouri. 

“Mizzou is going to be building the next generation nuclear reactor down east of (Highway) 63 south of town, and so that's pretty close to the 44th district. We have (the) Columbia airport in the 44th,” Beal said. “So I think it's gonna be critical to work with the university to see their needs and make sure that we can bring this nuclear reactor in a safe manner. that's going to drive the economy.” 

Martin said his biggest priorities are supporting law enforcement, infrastructure, education and cutting income taxes. 

“I like to see our state reduce the personal income tax. begin to knock that down to give people more money back in their pocket,” Martin said. “I definitely think it's doable with our current state budget.”

Martin believes his plan to cut income tax will help address some issues regarding homelessness. 

“I think that homeless issues and charity, things like that are best addressed locally. and I'm not a big proponent of all of big government programs where there's lots of welfare. So I say put more money back in the hands of individuals. those individuals can give to their churches or other charity-type organizations and they can help in those needs on a local basis," Martin said.

Martin also believes that charter schools are good for Missouri education and he is a big proponent of "school choice."

"We have Centralia, Hallsville, Columbia, and Ashland schools. and my thought there is that if you're happy with that school, that's good. stay there," Martin said. "But I think there should be some options, as well. And so there's a lot of loyalty to our schools and that's great. If you're happy with the education. I think it's good to have some options as well, like, the charter schools, things like that."

Beal agrees with Martin on that issue. 

“A rising tide raises all boats, as they say. And so when you have a school that they now have to compete with, they can't just sit back and say, ‘This is how we do things we're going to sit here and continue to fail students.’ Now, they have to actually actively work to do better and compete with another school instead of just getting all of the students by virtue of being in the district," Beal said.

A bill was passed earlier this year that allows charter schools to operate in Boone County. Several area superintendents signed a letter in opposition of the bill and had asked Gov. Mike Parson to veto it.

Each candidate is against abortion, but Martin is open to exceptions if the life of a mother is at risk.

"I'd like to see Missouri continue to be a very strong pro-life state. I do believe in exceptions. I think, for example, like the life of the mother, I think it needs to be very clear in the law that if the life of the mother is at risk, the doctor feels, that he has the ability to, and the family themselves, to make those decisions," Martin said.  

Beal is focusing on defeating a ballot measure in November that leaves the issue up to the voters.

"This ballot measure would allow for abortions up until the time of birth, as long as a doctor certifies that it's for the mental or physical health of a mother. and there have been doctors who said they would certify that any pregnancy is a risk to the health of the mother. and so in that case, it's carte blanche abortion up until the time of birth.," Beal said.

Both also want to defend Second Amendment rights and further roll back Missouri’s gun regulations.

"If you're a state employee driving a state car or staying in a state facility anywhere throughout the state, you cannot have a firearm on you during your trip anywhere. So in certain areas of Saint Louis, for instance, we send state employees into those areas. Very high crime, and they have no means of self-defense. So I would like to work with the office of administration to repeal that rule and allow our state employees to have firearms to defend themselves when they go into these dangerous areas and situations," Beal said.

"Missouri has open-carry and things like that. I support that. I do not support those Red Flag laws. you know, that's kind of a push. I think that's what gets us in dangerous territory where you're turning someone in without due process," Martin said.

You can watch Beal’s full interview here. 

You can watch Martin’s full interview here.