Democratic Missouri gubernatorial candidates Hamra and Quade outline plans

ST. LOUIS – FOX 2 is your local election headquarters and with the Missouri primary just two weeks away, two candidates for governor visited the newsroom for a special report.

Most of the money, advertising, and overall attention in the Missouri gubernatorial primary has gone to the Republican side. However, there is also a heated battle among Democrats, with only two candidates receiving demonstrable support in statewide polls.

Since abortion rights will likely be on the ballot in November, they think they can turn a red state blue.

Missouri State Rep. Crystal Quade and restaurant chain (Wendy’s, Noodles, Panera) owner Mike Hamra, both from Springfield, have both pointed to the dysfunction of the Republican-dominated state Capitol as one of the campaign’s top issues, among others.

“The crippling gridlock was really what drove me to run for governor this year,” Quade said. “We’re among the lowest in the country for things like teacher pay and education funding. We’ve seen 18 rural hospitals close in the last decade, our roads and bridges crumble, the list goes on. Instead of focusing on that, it’s just been divisive.”

“I’m tired of the political games that are being played in Jefferson City,” Hamra said. “I know I’m the only candidate in this race who has just released a major policy plan. It’s a 42-page document. It’s about growing our state economy; it’s about supporting things that are important to our parents and families in our state, like supporting children in our public school system, (and) making sure that we have great health care in the state of Missouri.”

Both candidates discussed the important topic of abortion rights.

“We have one of the most extreme abortion bans in the country today. Thanks to advocates across the state, we will have a ballot initiative in November that will give voters the opportunity to restore abortion rights to women in the state of Missouri,” Hamra said. “I am confident that we will get it done — I will be a governor who will protect those rights and make sure that we preserve them.”

“I’ve personally had calls from women who have had miscarriages. They go to the doctor and they’re told, ‘You’re not close enough to death yet, so you need to go home,’ and it’s really scary,” Quade said. “I hear that everywhere. We’re adding IVF into that conversation and birth control rights… people all over the world are really frustrated with this government intrusion into our personal lives.”

Quade has lagged in campaign finance and advertising, with Hamra donating more than $1.5 million to his own campaign since December. Still, both parties see Democrats regaining the governorship for the first time in eight years.

“I know where we’re headed if we don’t get a Democrat in office. That’s why I’m running; that’s why I’m investing in this campaign,” Hamra said. “I know how important and critical this is for the state of Missouri and for the people of the state. What you see on the other side are politicians, candidates for office, playing games (and) attacking each other. My ads and what I’m trying to convey to voters is that I have a real agenda. I have a policy initiative that I will implement as governor.”

“Yes, my opponent has dominated TV. He’s a self-funder, but I think ultimately I can win this race because I know what people are up against and I can address it right away,” Quade said. “Governor is not something you learn on the job or on the job … that’s why I know I have a chance this November in a state like Missouri. This is not a partisan thing; people want their elected leaders who understand what they’re going through and who will fight for the issues that affect them every day.”

The two also talked about their management style.

“I wanted to run to get that voice at the table so that when we’re making decisions about who gets the tax cut, it’s not just the corporations and the wealthy, but we have someone in the room who can stand up for everyday Missourians,” Quade said. “That’s exactly what I’m going to do as governor.”

“I’m running for office because I know how to move things forward. I know how to bring people together, set a vision and get people aligned around that vision,” Hamra said. “Even if there are differences of opinion, I’m going to bring that same approach to being governor because that’s how I’ve grown my business over the last 22 years.”

Missourians can expect to see both candidates in the area frequently in the final days leading up to the Aug. 6 primary. They both believe that St. Louis voters are the key to their success.