Rowden holds onto his state Senate seat

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Republican Sen. Caleb Rowden won a second term Tuesday, defeating Democrat Judy Baker in a contentious race.

The race was tight until the end, but Rowden came out on top with 52% of the vote (50,518 votes) to Baker's 48% (47,310 votes).

In a live interview with ABC 17 News on Tuesday, Rowden said this race was the toughest he's been through so far.

Rowden said his priority in his second term will be working on schools and the economy.

"Just doing stuff that we think matters for the people in Missouri," Rowden said. "So we're going to try to make our schools, the best they can be and try to get the economy back move and make sure we recover from all these people."

Rowden was elected in the 19th Senate District, which represents Boone and Cooper counties, in 2016. Rowden also serves as the Senate majority floor leader.

Rowden served two terms in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2013 through 2017.

Along with his current role in the state Senate, Rowden owns Clarius Interactive a media and marketing company based in Columbia.

Prior to that, Rowden also was a full time Christian singer and songwriter.

Rowden has opposed expanding Medicaid in Missouri to include more people under the federal poverty line and fears it will come at the expense of education.

When it comes to COVID-19, Rowden believes the state's response has been adequate.

He said he didn't want to politicize COVID-19 in this campaign because it is a public health problem.

"It is a problem that has impacted so many people economically from a health perspective," said Rowden. "Kids in schools, depression and more that's come from this."

A Rowden supporter at the watch party on Tuesday said she felt it was important to attend the event.

"I think it's important that we get out and celebrate together and if the candidates lose them we can commiserate together," said Leslie Kriete.