Forum features local and state candidates ahead of next week’s election

Nov. 01--Local and state political candidates from both major political parties came Tuesday to Moberly, highlighting their campaign positions before the general election Nov. 6.

The Randolph County League of Women Voters hosted a candidate forum Tuesday night at Moberly High School to inform voters on the issues prevalent in local and state politics.

Local candidates

Candidates for Missouri's 14th Judicial Circuit, which encompasses Randolph and Howard Counties, were the first to speak among local races. Incumbent Circuit Judge Scott Hayes and his opponent Gillis Leonard were asked about how they would move cases through the court while protecting the 8th Amendment rights of those going through the judicial process.

Leonard said that an "artificial time limit" can not be placed on cases. He criticized Hayes, saying that the Daniel O'Toole Award, which is given by the Missouri Supreme Court each year for the most efficient circuits in the state, came at the cost of justice. He said that justice takes time and that, if elected, he would like to have people in court only when necessary.

Hayes responded by saying that justice delayed is justice denied, and the time frames of each case needed to be handled individually.

They were then asked about methods for setting bond for the accused. Both Leonard and Hayes largely agreed that bonds should be based on the history of the individual and the crime for which they are accused. They said that they reason bond is implemented is two-fold, for public safety and to ensure court appearances. Hayes said that those who have a history of violence are likely to have a higher bond or no bond available, whereas first-time drug offenders may be able to be monitored electronically, rather than having to sit in jail to wait for a court date.

Candidates for Associate Circuit Court Judge for Randolph County followed Hayes and Leonard, incumbent Associate Circuit Judge Jim Cooksey and his opponent Robert Brandon.

They were first asked about their thoughts on implementing a juvenile delinquency court. Brandon said he supported forming a delinquency court, because it could help catch children who may be falling through the cracks. Cooksey, who handles cases on the juvenile docket, said he already currently deals with truancy cases in juvenile court. He said that creating an additional court would take extra time and resources that the courts do not necessarily have.

The candidates were also asked about whether they supported bond reductions.

Brandon said that violent offenders needed to have bond set, but otherwise cases needed to have bond determined on a case-by-case basis. Cooksey said the biggest issues that he has seen when setting is the opioid crisis. He said that because of technology, the courts are able to track and screen drug offenders without having to keep them in jail until their court dates.

Candidates for Randolph County Presiding Commissioner followed the judge candidates. Incumbent Republican Presiding Commissioner John Truesdell and his Democratic opponent Jerry Crutchfield opened by answering a question about the Grain Belt Express Clean Line and whether they would support it as presiding commissioner.

Truesdell said that he would strongly oppose building the Grain Belt Express Line through Randolph County, because it would be intrusive to citizens of the county and took away property rights through eminent domain.

Crutchfield did not say whether he supported the line but said that the ultimate decision would likely be made in Jefferson City, rather than in Randolph County.

Both candidates said they supported limited planning in zoning throughout the county that would not intrude on agriculture.

The candidates were asked about how they would budget for jail services, 911, dispatch and emergency services. Truesdell mentioned a recent meeting that the county commission had with the Moberly City Council and the heads of various emergency services throughout the county.

Crutchfield said that the commissioners often have to rely on the public service agencies.

The last forum of the evening featured the two candidates for circuit clerk, incumbent Circuit Clerk Michelle Chapman and her opponent Ashley Underwood.

They were asked about turnover in the clerk's office and if that has an impact on office morale. Chapman said that several court clerks have retired or moved on over the last few years and that it does have an effect on morale. She said she is hoping to retain some of the younger clerks so that they will have a veteran presence in a few years.

Underwood said that part of the issue is making sure that employees are hired based on their qualifications. She said that the office needs someone with strong leadership skills and someone who is willing to lead by example.

They were also asked about how they could prevent delays in the clerk's office.

Underwood said that creating an even distribution of work would create a more efficient environment in the office. Chapman said that the office needed to work together more, including supervisors volunteering to help junior clerks with some of their workload.

State candidates

Only the Democratic candidate for Missouri's 18th Senate District, Crystal Stephens, was present at the forum. Republican candidate Cindy O'Laughlin reportedly had a conflict arise and was unable to attend.

Stephens said, if elected, her points of emphasis would be health care, campaign finance reform and a focus on local infrastructure. Stephens also supports a streamlined sales tax on online sales. She said that the state government is detached from the public wellbeing and urged the audience to get out and vote.

"We have so much dark money coming into these elections, that it is obscene," Stephens said. "There is about $500,000 being spent on my opponent's side for a position that pays less than $40,000 a year. That's obscene to me."

The forum also featured the Republican incumbents running for reelection in the four state representative districts that meet in Randolph County: Tim Remole of the 6th, Cheri Reisch of the 44th, Chuck Bayse of 47th and Dave Muntzel of 48th, along with their Democratic opponents Mitch Wrenn, Maren Jones, Adrian Plank and Raymond Faubion, respectively.

Following opening statements, the candidates were asked about their positions on health care in Missouri and whether pre-existing conditions should be covered by health insurance companies.

The topic of health care dominated much of the conversation. Answers were largely consistent among parties.

The Republican candidates agreed that pre-existing medical conditions should be covered, but that the free-market health insurance system is the best option.

"You can go down to your local doctor and hospital and get healthcare, but part of the problem is a lot of our rural hospitals are closing," Reisch said. "I do believe that pre-existing conditions need to be covered, but as a caveat to that... if you go find out you have cancer and then the next day try to go out and buy a health insurance policy... you need to have your health insurance policy in place first."

The Democratic candidates all supported some sort of single-payer health care system. Democratic candidates promoted medicare for all throughout the forum.

"This is one of the most important issues in our time," Wrenn said. "We all know someone in our lives that has a pre-existing condition. ... We need to get our heads around this. ... We need to have a serious conversation about Medicare for all. Healthcare is a right for every man woman and child in this country and state."

Candidates were asked what law or regulation they would pass or repeal if elected.

Remole said that he would like to promote economic growth in Missouri by allowing businesses to get permits within six months of applying, rather than having to wait more than a year.

Wrenn said that he would like to corportated taxes raised in order to help pay for projects like expanding Medicare.

Reisch said she would continue to work on an "employer freedom" bill, which would allow industries that serve alcohol, such as restaurants, to hire convicted felons who have been released, which is currently illegal.

Jones said she would like to expand funding Small Business Development Centers in Missouri to help diversify business in small towns, which are often negatively impacted when a large company laces to another state or country.

Bayse said he would like to see a prescription drug monitoring program implemented in the state to combat the opioid epidemic, while Plank said he would continue pushing for campaign finance reform legislation.

The candidates also spoke in-depth about Proposition D. If approved in the election, Proposition D would increase the tax on gasoline to fund infrastructure and road improvements. Funding would also go to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The Republican candidates were in favor of the proposition, while the Democratic candidates, excluding Jones, thought that the language in the proposition was not specific enough.

Videos of the full forum can be seen at the Moberly Monitor-Index Facebook page at facebook.com/moberlymonitorindex.

ecliburn@moberlymonitor.com

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