Bush, Basinger face off in 50th District Democratic primary
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Gregg Bush and Jeff Basinger are candidates competing for 50th District seat in the Missouri House representing the 50th District on Tuesday.
Both candidates have similar goals for their role in the seat. The district includes much of south Columbia and areas of Boone County that border the city on the south and east.
Basinger, an attorney, small business owner and civil rights activist, aims to enhance access to health care, if elected. He also plans to raise teacher salaries and implement gun control and government accountability measures.
His campaign was optimistic on Election Day. Anthony Willroth, Basinger's campaign manager, acknowledged the challenge of competing against Bush.
"Any time one candidate has the endorsement of an incumbent, It's an uphill battle, but I think we've done a good job running an issue-based campaign and getting Jeff's priorities out there. I know a lot of people will be voting for Jeff today so we'll just have to see how the card fall," Willroth said.
According to Willroth, Basinger has been endorsed by community members like Angela Peterson, Leigh Anne Lockhart, and Adam Summers of The Heartland Pod.
Basinger's campaign emphasizes his commitment to making meaningful changes for Missourians.
"Jeff deserves this because he has been doing the hard work to help people for a long time. He's also not afraid to speak truth to power. He's litigated against Andrew Bailey and Jay Ashcroft and won't let folks like them control to see how they all do," Willroth said.
Bush's campaign is centered on expanding health care access, advocating for gun control, supporting education and promoting unions and small businesses.
Ava Wischnewski, Bush's campaign manager, expressed excitement for Election Day.
"We are proud of the campaign we have run and the coalition we have built. We are looking forward to hearing from the voters tonight." Wischnewski said.
According to Wischnewski, Bush would be affective because of to his strong work ethic.
"As the other member of this two-person team, I can tell you that Greg has personally been a tireless advocate in Columbia and will do the same in Jeff City," Wischnewski said.
She also mentioned that Bush has received endorsements from various organizations, including current current Rep. Doug Mann, Abortion Action Missouri, National Organizations for Women MO, Missouri Nurses Association, LiUNA 955, Mo/Kansas SEIU, Columbia Teamsters, Missouri AFL-CIO, and has received distinctions as a Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate and from Mental Health Now.
Bush will host an event at 7:30 p.m. at the Grind Coffee House at John Garry Drive in Columbia.
Basinger, on the other hand, is planning a small gathering in the comfort of his home, surrounded by friends and family for the election.
"Jeff and I will each be watching results come in with our families. I have a lot of personal friends running for various things this year so it will be exciting to see how they all do." Willroth said.
Polls close at 7 p.m. The winner will face Joshua Blakeman in November, who is running unopposed in the Republican primary.
