2 Republicans are running for district 132

Two Republicans are vying for the chance to run for the seat in State House District 132, which covers North Springfield and Greene County. Stephanos Freeman and Bernadean McAfee are on the ballot for the Aug. 6 primary.

Crystal Quade currently represents the 132nd District, but her term is almost up and she is running for governor.

There is one Democratic Party candidate in this race, Jeremy Dean. He is the operations manager for a local nonprofit, and the issues that matter to him are health and reproductive rights, nondiscrimination, education, jobs, local control and public safety, according to his website.

Who is Stephanos Freeman?

Website: www.facebook.com/Freeman131

Who is he? Freeman previously ran for this seat in 2022, against Crystal Quade. In 2020, he ran for a seat in District 131. Freeman is a Willard native and lifelong Springfield resident. According to his author bio on Amazon, Freeman holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Missouri State University.

Why is he running? Freeman believes that “the people who claim to solve our problems are actually making our problems worse” when it comes to homelessness and development.

“They’re going to do the same thing here that they did in New York City, St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago and L.A. They’re going to take the historic part of the city — mostly minorities and poor people — and they’re going to move them, they’re going to bring their rich friends here and put you in a tenement building that’s all stacked up and crime is rampant,” Freeman said during the July 11 forum.

In previous reports, Freeman has indicated that he is more representative of his district than others in the Legislature.

What does he intend to do if elected? During the July 11 forum, Freeman indicated that he wants to “expose” lawmakers who accept money from organizations that influence their voting behavior.

“No, I actually want to go (to the House) and find out what’s going on, and target the people and dig up what’s going on with them, so I can tell you exactly what’s going on with them,” Freeman said. “You can generally get things done if you know where people’s pain points are. I hate to do that, but it’s that or bribery. Which would you prefer?”

Freeman has also said he wants to address the centralization of power because “we have far too much power in a few hands and there is not enough transparency.”

Who is Bernadean McAfee?

Website: www.electbernadeanmcafee.com

Who is she? McAfee is a real estate agent who grew up in Republic and has lived in North Springfield since 1997. She has one daughter and has been widowed twice. McAfee is also a court-appointed volunteer special advocate.

“I cared for my husband when he was diagnosed with cancer. I cared for my mother when she was diagnosed with cancer. I cared for my disabled aunt for five years after my mother passed away,” McAfee said during a candidate forum. “I have a heart for advocacy, people and my community.”

More: What’s on the ballot in Springfield and Greene County in the August primary?

Why is she running? According to a press release, McAfee wants to “get results” for her community and says she will deliver “action and accountability.” During the candidate forum, she called the district “her heart, her home.”

“We have challenges here and I don’t think we have easy answers, but I know there are so many people who care about my district and the North Side who will work through it,” McAfee said. “That’s why I want to be part of the solution to this.”

What does she want to do? if i am elected? McAfee has pledged to hold politicians accountable to the people, uphold constitutional freedoms and strengthen the economy. She believes her 30 years of conflict resolution will serve her well in Jefferson City.

“I’ve mediated some very difficult situations. I’m known as an effective communicator and I think we can have healthy conversations,” McAfee said. “We can have healthy debates. We can get to a point where we can agree for the good of the community.”