By Kellie Houx
KHoux@cherryroad.com
CLAY COUNTY— Incumbent and Republican Chris Brown faces challenger and Democrat Gloria Young on the November ballot for election to the Missouri State House District 16 seat. The winner will serve a two-year term. The district covers a portion of Clay County including Kansas City-North.
To help provide voters information on where candidates stand on issues affecting the district, the Gladstone Dispatch sent questionnaires to each candidate and asked them to limit their responses to 50 words per answer. Answers longer than 50 words have been cut off at the end of the closest sentence with an ellipsis (…) in place of missing words.
Candidates were also asked to participate in video interviews, answering additional questions about their stance on issues on the ballot and why they believe they are the best candidate for elected office. Brown did not participate in the video interview.
What is the biggest issue facing the district and how will you work to resolve it if elected?
Brown: “Cost of living and public safety are huge issues in the Northland. Prices are skyrocketing everywhere. Crime is at record highs in KC. In the House, I worked to freeze property tax hikes and have ensured our local law enforcement is fully equipped to keep our neighborhoods safe.”
Young: “Over the course of hundreds of conversations that I have had with people of the 16th District, the most common concerns that people have raised to me are school funding and safety and reproductive health care access. Our children live in a world of lockdowns and intruder drills. It is easier to get a gun than to get the necessary documentation for the ID required to vote. …”
Do you support efforts for increased school choice and voucher programs in the state? Why or why not?
Brown: “I am a retired public school teacher and have the exclusive endorsements of the Missouri NEA and MSTA. I voted to raise teacher’s salaries this year. First and foremost, I support public education. We can support opportunities to best accommodate students’ needs without compromising support for excellence in public schools.”
Young: “I am strongly opposed to the voucher system. The voucher system relies upon the same resources that belong to the public school system. The Missouri constitution states that: ‘A general diffusion of knowledge and intelligence being essential to the preservation of the rights and liberties of the people, the general assembly shall establish and maintain free public schools for the gratuitous instruction of all persons in this state within ages not in excess of 21 years..’ …”
Amendment 2 would allow legalization of sports betting in the state. Do you support the amendment? Why or why not?
Brown: “I’m glad voters have the opportunity to make this decision for themselves at the ballot box. The amendment has many pros and cons, but ultimately, I will support the will of the voters. If it does pass, it’s nice that the extra state funds would help public schools.”
Young: “Amendment 2 promises to provide funding for Missouri schools, but I question how much, if any of that money, will be used to support Missouri’s schools. I have concerns about the addictive nature of gambling and associated increases in domestic abuse and other violence.”
Democratic candidate Gloria Young explains to the Gladstone Dispatch her stance on ballot issues impacting voters on the November ballot.
Amendment 3 would provide the right to reproductive freedom including reversal of the abortion ban. Will you vote “yes” or “no” on the measure? Please explain your answer.
Brown: “Abortion is a polarizing issue. It’s used as a weapon by both parties to divide people on a very emotionally charged and personal issue — which is wrong. I find the current state law to be too extreme. I’ll have to carefully review the language in the amendment.”
Young: “I will be voting emphatically in favor of restoring reproductive health care access. I strongly support the right to individual bodily autonomy. The current ban on abortion is deeply problematic for many reasons; it offers no exception in cases of rape or incest, it requires that women be actively dying before care providers can provide life-saving care, it condemns women with non-viable pregnancy to a dangerous and devastating sentence of waiting for the birth and slow-death of their child. … .”
Proposition A is a ballot issue that would raise the state’s minimum wage. Do you support this proposition? Why or why not?
Brown: “Working families have expressed support for this at the doors. While it may lead to further inflation in some markets, I also understand the desire for an income that can compete with modern prices. Thankfully, it’s not solely up to me to make this decision; voters can decide for themselves.”
Young: “I am strongly in favor of raising minimum wage and increasing worker benefits. As a Union-endorsed candidate, I am proudly and unequivocally pro-labor. Unions and working people are the foundation of our economy. People need to be able to afford housing, food and medical care. Wage increases help support people being able to access these things. …”
How will you ensure you reach across the aisle and not play partisan politics to work for what is best for Missourians?
Brown: “My top priority is being a trusted voice for the Northland. I will continue to stand up to my own party when necessary. But as a Republican, I do have the ability to get bipartisan things done in a way that a Democrat simply cannot in the current Republican supermajority.”
Young: “In my experience as a researcher in the fields of human behavior and cultural studies, I have found that the best way to connect with other people is to have honest, civil conversations. Many people find that bonding and connecting with people comes more naturally during shared tasks. …”
Amendment 7, if approved, would ban ranked-choice voting of candidates by Missourians with an exception for St. Louis. Will you vote in favor or against the measure? Please explain your answer.
Brown: “I don’t have strong opinions on this amendment; I will happily support the will of the people on this issue. I’m more concerned with everyday issues that the Northland has, like economic development, public safety and education. There are many more bipartisan things we need to get done next year.”
Young: “Ranked-choice voting offers many advantages; it encourages more civil campaigns and reduces the need for multiple elections for a single office. Ranked-choice voting is, however, a more complex system that many voters may find, at least initially, difficult to understand. I oppose banning ranked-choice voting because I understand that local needs maybe better met with ranked-choice voting and decisions about whether to use that system should be, logically, left to local governments who are best equipped at understanding the needs of the constituency.”
CANDIDATE BIO: Chris Brown
Educational background, including any degrees earned: Benedictine College, bachelor’s in social studies with a minor in education; Benedictine College, master’s in educational administration
Occupation: Retired 32-year teacher & coach in the NKC School District; family real estate business co-owner with wife, Angela Brown
Social media/website contact info related to campaign: chrisbrownformo.com; facebook.com/ChrisBrown4MO
Prior civic and/or governmental public service experience that aids your ability to serve: Served as state representative for four years
CANDIDATE BIO: Gloria Young
Educational background, including any degrees earned: Bachelor’s degree in anthropology with concentrations in African/African American studies and English literature; extended studies beyond degree focusing on research-based community-generated responses to critical community needs
Occupation: Applied anthropologist
Social media/website contact info related to campaign: gloriaformissouri.com; Instagram, gloriaformissouri; X, @Gloria4Missouri
Prior civic and/or governmental public service experience that aids your ability to serve: Extensive background as a community activist, advocate and volunteer including work at and with shelters providing hands-on support, locating material resources and independent fundraising; direct assistance and locating of material resources for groups working in the KC metro area assisting people experiencing food and housing insecurity; providing and locating material and financial resources to support literacy and nutrition in local schools; and volunteering time and resources through Northland Community Cleanup to address issues of waste management and litter in the Northland
