Incumbent state Rep. Jay Barnes wants a second two-year term, in the new 60th House District covering most of Jefferson City, because "there's a lot of work left to do for our community."
Barnes, a Republican, ran two years ago on a platform of improving state workers' pay, developing the former Missouri State Penitentiary grounds and improving the area's economy.
While in the Legislature, he also joined the effort to promote more nuclear energy production from the Callaway nuclear power plant.
"I think the biggest issue next year - probably statewide, but also for Mid-Missouri - is small modular nuclear reactors in Callaway County," Barnes said. "We have the potential for a $1.2 trillion industry.
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One of the reasons Democrat Tom Minihan decided to run for state representative, he said, was "I wanted to have somebody to vote for.
"I thought it was worth the filing fee to be able to vote for myself."
As he's campaigned door-to-door in the new 60th District, which covers most of Jefferson City, Minihan said he's talked with many people unhappy with the current state of government and politics.
"What really needs to happen is, we need to stop the same old-same old, the tired old lies," he said, "the every-two-years, here's a bunch of promises.
"We've got to engage the people on a regular basis and get them involved in the political process, and get to some solutions."