Republican candidates in 44th District race gear up for watch parties
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Republican candidates Bryce Beal and John Martin are gearing up for their respective watch parties Tuesday night after campaigning for months.
The district encompasses most of southern and eastern Boone County outside of Columbia.
On Tuesday afternoon, Beal told ABC 17 News he is "feeling really good about the election." Beal said he had a team of volunteers waiving signs for the campaign at most of the polling locations in the district.
"We've received overwhelmingly positive responses and a lot of folks saying that they're voting for me, so I'm looking forward to the evening," Beal said.
Beal said he voted at the Ashland Senior Center around 2:45 p.m.
On his campaign website, Beal describes himself as a "Christian, conservative and constitutionalist." He feels he is the best person to represent the 44th District because of his work with the Attorney General's Office.
"I think that we need perspective [which] will allow me to go into the legislature with a lens to where I know how to write more effective laws that will be able to go into effect without being bogged down in court for years at a time," Beal said.
Beal is hosting a watch party at 7:30 p.m. at 503 Collective in Ashland.
Republican candidate John Martin said he is also "feeling good" today and says his "campaign has been working very hard all the way up to the end."
"We've got I think a very well organized campaign and a lot of great volunteers," Martin said. "I'm most proud to have the opportunity just to connect with so many people as a lifelong Boone Countian and as a small business owner and a former pastor."
Martin said he voted Tuesday morning at the National Guard Armory.
In a prior interview with ABC 17 News, Martin said he wants to be a "common-sense conservative voice for the 44th District." He stated he believes the government should have three main priorities which include law enforcement, infrastructure and education.
Martin said he believes he is the best candidate for the job because he would represent the values of the district.
"I have an agricultural background and it's very supported there," Martin said. "It'll be a win for the University of Missouri. I've had three kids graduate and [there's] strong support for Mizzou. It'll be a win for law and order."
Martin is hosting a watch party from 7-9 p.m. at Shakespeare's Pizza-South.
Both candidates are vying for the spot currently held by Rep. Cheri Toalson Reisch (R-Hallsville). She is not running for the position because of term limits. The district encompasses most of southern and eastern Boone County outside Columbia.
Whichever Republican candidate wins the primary election on Tuesday will face Democrat Dave Raithel, who is running unopposed in the Democratic primary.
