Voters in Missouri House District 60 will decide Nov. 8 whether to choose a Republican incumbent who cites his experience or a Democrat newcomer who believes people are disconnected from government and need more of a voice.
Newcomer Kevin Nelson, D-Jefferson City, is challenging incumbent Jay Barnes, R-Jefferson City, for the seat.
Nelson said even with six years in the House, Barnes has not been able to gain ground on issues like higher wages for state employees. The challenger also opposes legislation that supports payroll protection and voter ID laws, issues in which Barnes has voted yes.
"Unlike Barnes, I believe this is a chance for me to gain ground on these issues in order to help the individuals in our community," Nelson said.
Nelson is new to the political sphere but not to the woes of citizens in Cole County. For the last 20 years, he has worked in health care.
"I'm running for the House seat in District 60 because I care about people, and I want to help," Nelson said. "I'm an ordinary guy trying to help ordinary people."
If elected, Nelson plans to fight against legislation that approves right-to-work laws. By nature, right-to-work laws would prohibit employees from paying union dues, therefore diminishing the strength of organized labor unions, he said.
"I feel right to work is wrong for Missouri," Nelson said. "We have seen what it does to right-to-work states; wages go down, and benefits fall shortly after that."
Nelson also coupled proposed legislation for payroll protection as another element of an attempt to diminish the strength of organized labor.
"I feel enacting that legislation would do the average citizen and the hardworking people of Missouri wrong," Nelson said. "I will stand against any right-to-work legislation."
Barnes voted in favor of right-to-work legislation in 2015.
Barnes cites his experience as one reason he would continue to be an asset to constituents.
"For six years, I have consistently worked to make our community and our state a better place to live, work and to raise children," Barnes said. "I know a lot more now than I did then."
If elected, Barnes will enter his fourth term in the Missouri House. Married with a young family, Barnes believes the best way he can stay in touch with his constituents is through a weekly column in the News Tribune.
During an interview with the News Tribune, Barnes shared what it means to him to be a member of the Missouri House.
Barnes said he used to wonder why during debate legislators in the House were referred to as the "gentleman" or "lady" from their district. Now he understands why.
"It puts the focus on the constituents who we are there to serve every single day," Barnes said. "It is a reminder every time a person gets up to speak that you are not there for your own personal aggrandizement but instead as a voice of 40,000 in your community."
By profession, Barnes is a practicing attorney at Barnes & Associates, which specializes in the areas of personal injury, privacy law, criminal defense, consumer protection and administrative law.
"Without regard to political pressures, I'll fight for what I think is right and just for my constituents," Barnes said.
Wages
Both candidates say higher wages for state employees is an issue they would like to work on in the Legislature.
"Since 2010, there have been pay raises for state employees, and I believe we can continue to work on getting them higher," Barnes said.
Missouri's state employee wages are the lowest in the country. Nelson doesn't believe Barnes has done enough to ensure higher wages.
"Missouri's state employees feel slighted," Nelson said. "They would like to be caught up, and I would work tirelessly to do that for them in state government."
Ballot measures
Proposed amendments for voter identification laws and cigarette taxes are two hot topics Barnes and Nelson don't see eye to eye on.
According to Nelson, Secretary of State Jason Kander released a report that said 220,000 registered voters would be disenfranchised by Amendment 6, which would require voters to show identification when they go to vote in November 2017.
Nelson said this amendment would push voting rights in Missouri backward.
"When it comes to voting rights, we have a strong Constitution," Nelson said. "We don't want to water that down. We want to make sure every voice is heard, and every voice is counted."
Barnes believes this amendment is a matter of protection for voters.
During the last regular legislative session, Barnes voted in favor of sending the proposed amendment to the ballot for voter approval in November.
On the other hand, Barnes said he will vote against Amendment 3, which would raise cigarette taxes and earmark funds for early childhood education funding.
He said earmarking these funds would make it harder for the Legislature to prioritize funds across the board.
"I don't think earmarking funds is an effective way of government," Barnes said. "Secondly, Missourians have consistently rejected increased taxes, and if there is going to be an increase on tobacco, it should probably go towards something related to health care."