Missouri’s redrawn Senate, House districts set up in-party races
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Missouri Senate district that includes Callaway County now spreads out to the Illinois border north of St Louis.
And District 6, which includes Cole County, now dives south to include Camden County.
In each district, experienced Mid-Missouri legislators are facing challenges from within their own party. Meanwhile, Missouri's redrawn state House districts have set up a Democratic battle in a Boone County district.
This year's new map has shaken things up ahead of the August election. Here are the contested General Assembly races locals will see on their ballots.
Sixth Senate District
Mike Bernskoetter: January quarterly campaign finance report, April quarterly
Scott Riedel: January quarterly campaign finance report, amended April quarterly report
Two Republicans are the only candidates filed for the Sixth Senate District seat.
One of them is Mike Bernskoetter, the incumbent in the redrawn district that now comprises Cole, Moniteau, Morgan, Camden and Miller counties. Bernskoetter's home base is Jefferson City and he's a lifelong Cole County resident. Bernsketter represented the 59th District in the Missouri House for eight years before being elected to the Senate in 2018.
His challenger is Scott Riedel from Camdenton. Riedel is a political newcomer who emphasizes his decades-long military career. One his website, Riedel makes it clear he's a Trump Republican and his endorsements include Trump supporters such as retired general Michael Flynn and Douglas Frank.
10th Senate District
Bryan Spencer: January quarterly campaign finance report; April quarterly report
Travis Fitzwater: January quarterly campaign finance report; April quarterly report
Jeff Porter: January quarterly campaign finance report; April quarterly report
Mike Carter: April large donation report
No incumbent is running in the 10th District but two Republican House members and one former member are among those hoping to inherit the district from Jeanie Riddle.
Travis Fitzwater, who currently represents parts of Callaway and Cole counties, is term-limited out of the House. The Callaway County-based Fitzwater boasts his conservative policy positions on his website -- anti-abortion, pro-Second Amendment and pro-agriculture -- especially his co-sponsoring of a major tax cut.
The race has also drawn four-year House member Jeff Porter of Montgomery City. Porter is an insurance agent who won recognition from the Missouri Chamber of Commerce this year for his business-friendly focus.
The redrawn district touches the outer boundaries of the St. Louis area including Wentzville, drawing two Republicans from that city into the race -- Mike Carter and Bryan Spencer. Carter, a municipal judge in Wentzville, is running ads on Mid-Missouri television. Spencer is a former state House member who announced his candidacy for the seat being vacated by Jeanie Riddle long before filing opened.
Joshua Price of Mexico rounds out the field.
47th House District
Adrian Plank: January quarterly campaign finance report, April quarterly report
Chimene Schwach: January quarterly campaign finance report, April quarterly report, July quarterly report
In the 47th District, two Democrats familiar to local voters are battling for the chance to take on Republican John Martin in November in a district that is now made up of northwest Boone County and part of Columbia.
The old 47th District included parts of Boone, Cooper, Howard and Randolph counties, with rural Republican votes helping Chuck Basye hold the seat for eight years. Now the seat is open and one of those seeking it is Basye's old general election opponent, Adrian Plank. Plank, a union carpenter, continues to run on populist ideals, stressing the need for fair wages and benefits inspired by his low-income background.
Going up against Plank is Chimene Schwach, a manager at Court Appointed Special Advocates who is endorsed by outgoing state Rep. Martha Stevens and State Auditor Nicole Galloway. She represents Columbia's Fourth Ward on the county's Democratic Central Committee. Her endorsements include Everytown for Gun Safety.
59th House District
Rudy Veit: January quarterly campaign finance report; April quarterly report
George Bacon: July quarterly campaign finance report
The 59th House District used to represent parts of Cole and Miller counties. After it was redrawn this year, the district now covers Cole County and a small slice of Jefferson City.
The incumbent Republican, Rudy Veit of Wardsville, is seeking a third term in office. He was unopposed in 2020 but now faces a challenge from George Bacon of Jefferson City. Bacon's campaign has kept a low profile, with little fundraising by his Better with Bacon candidate committee. Each candidate has a Facebook page serving as the campaign's website.
123rd House District
Lisa Thomas: January quarterly campaign finance report; April quarterly report
Mindy Martin: July quarterly campaign finance report
State Rep. Lisa Thomas (R-Lake Ozark) currently represents the 124th House District, which covers parts of Miller and Camden County. But with the new House map, Thomas is running in the 123rd District, which covers most of Camden County but includes none of Miller County.
Thomas is seeking her second term in the House.
Her opponent in the Republican primary is Mindy Martin, who has not reported any fundraising. Neither candidate has a campaign website.
143rd House District
Bennie Cook: January quarterly campaign finance report; April quarterly report
Philip Lohmann: July quarterly campaign finance report
Christopher Davis: April quarterly campaign finance report
Three Republicans are seeking their party's nomination for this seat, which includes Maries County.
State Rep. Bennie Cook, who has represented the old 142nd district covering Texas, Phelps, Pulaski and Howell counties for two years, is seeking to move over to the 143rd. Cook hails from Houston, Missouri.
His two Republican opponents -- Philip Lohmann and Christopher Davis -- are from Rolla.
