93.9 The Eagle – The News and Talk of Columbia, MO
Hundreds of candidates from several political parties have packed the Kirkpatrick building in Jefferson City for today’s first day of filing for the August primary. Filing opened at 8 am.
Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft (R) says candidates planning to file for office must have a paid filing fee receipt from a political party, a copy of an affidavit filed with the state Department of Revenue (that doesn’t apply to congressional candidates) and proof of identity such as a Missouri driver’s license, birth certificate or voter ID card.
Missouri’s senior Senator, U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R), is up for re-election this year, and most of Missouri’s statewide offices are also up. All 163 Missouri House seats are up for grabs this year, as are 17 of the 34 State Senate seats.
The dean of Missouri’s congressional delegation, U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-Tarkio), filed today for re-election to his 13th term on Capitol Hill. Congressman Graves was first elected in 2000, representing northern Missouri on Capitol Hill. He tells 939 the Eagle that his priorities include securing the border, illegal immigration and protecting rural hospitals in his district, which includes Moberly and Mexico. U.S. Rep. Jason Smith (R-Salem), who chairs the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, also filed for re-election today, telling 939 the Eagle that the border and Social Security are two of his top priorities.
U.S. Rep. Cori Bush (D-St. Louis), who’s the first African-American female Congresswoman elected in Missouri, also filed for re-election today.
Secretary Ashcroft says filing continues until March 26 at 5 pm.
