By Amanda Lubinski
ALubinski@cherryroad.com

CLAY COUNTY— Democrat and current House Rep. Maggie Nurrenbern and Republican and current Clay County Presiding Commissioner Jerry Nolte are facing off on the November ballot for election to the Missouri State Senate District 17 seat. The winner will serve a four-year term.

The district covers a portion of the Northland including North Kansas City, Kansas City, Gladstone, Pleasant Valley and Claycomo. To help provide voters information on where candidates stand on issues affecting the district, the Courier-Tribune 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.

A longer version of this story, including answers to more questions in video form, is online at MyCourierTribune.com.

The following are candidate responses in alphabetical order of last name.

What is the biggest issue facing the district and how will you work to resolve it if elected?

Nolte: “My top priorities include supporting law enforcement, strengthening immigration laws and tackling the fentanyl crisis killing so many children. I will fight efforts to undermine law enforcement and keep crime off our streets with increased funding for critical resources, modernizing dispatch centers and enacting tougher penalties for repeat violent offenders.”

Nurrenbern: “Health and safety concerns are the biggest issues facing the district. I will work to bring down the cost of health care and prescription drugs and restore access to reproductive health care. Improving public safety is paramount and I’ll continue to work with law enforcement to keep our families safe.”

Do you support efforts for increased school choice and voucher programs in the state? Why or why not?

Nolte: “The excellence of our public, private and parochial schools flow from diverse options. Not only affluent parents should have choices in their children’s education. My teaching experience demonstrates students learn in different ways and at different paces. The primary factor should be what is the best option for each student.”

Nurrenbern: “I strongly oppose diverting public dollars to unaccountable, non-accredited private schools and I oppose the expansion of charter schools. I will continue to work to increase teachers’ salaries and ensure our public schools have the resources they need to provide a quality education for each and every student.”

Amendment 2 would allow legalization of sports betting in the state. Do you support the amendment? Why or why not?

Nolte: “I am not opposed to sports gambling. I would like more assurances that the money will go to schools and into the classrooms before supporting it.”

Nurrenbern: “I’m one of the many undecided voters on Amendment 2. I’ve seen strong arguments on both sides concerning how the revenue will be collected and spent. What I do know is that if I’m elected, I will honor the outcome and the will of the voters on all ballot measures.”

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.

Nolte: “I am pro-life, this decision is in the hands of voters.”

Nurrenbern: “I strongly support Amendment 3, which restores abortion access and reproductive freedom. Missouri currently has a total abortion ban with no exceptions for victims of rape or incest. The current ban doesn’t even include necessary medical exceptions, which puts women’s lives and health in danger.”

Proposition A is a ballot issue that would raise the state’s minimum wage. Do you support this proposition? Why or why not?

Nolte: “As any employer knows, hiring and maintaining quality employees is very difficult in this environment. Inflation and fewer workers are increasing upward pressure on salaries and benefits, increases seem inevitable. As a former small business owner, I am glad to see provisions included for businesses with 15 or less employees.”

Nurrenbern: “Yes. Missouri’s current minimum wage is insufficient for someone to live on – let alone raise a family on – especially as costs for food and housing continue to rise. Also, Prop A includes the accrual of paid sick leave, which will allow for healthier workplaces and communities.”

How will you ensure you reach across the aisle and not play partisan politics to work for what is best for Missourians?

Nolte: “I already have. When I introduced legislation keeping the Claycomo auto plant, I worked with Sam Komo and other Democrats. The result: 9,000 jobs and $1.5-2 billion in private investment. Years ago, Clay County was in turmoil, today we are a professional government. I am part of the solution for Missourians.”

Nurrenbern: “I know what it means to people first. As a state representative, I’ve worked across the aisle to secure significant investments in education, infrastructure and public safety. I’m committed to listening to the needs of my constituents to deliver real results for our community and state in the Missouri Senate.”

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.

Nolte: “I support Amendment 7. Non-citizens should not vote. Federal law does not prohibit non-citizens voting in state or local elections, Amendment 7 will. According to Ballotpedia, California, Maryland, Vermont and Washington, D.C. have municipalities allowing non-citizens to vote. Ranked-choice voting can be confusing, causing less confidence in election results.”

Nurrenbern: “I support the strong state and federal laws that already make it illegal for non-citizens to vote as these laws safeguard our democracy. Repeating these existing laws in a ballot measure only serves to confuse voters. Meanwhile, I support rank-choice voting to ensure winning candidates are elected with majority support.”

 

CANDIDATE BIO: Jerry Nolte

Educational background, including any degrees earned: Associate’s degree in art

Occupation: Presiding commissioner of Clay County since 2014; owned a small business, a commercial illustration company, for approximately 30 years and other small businesses; was a teacher at Oakhill Day School in Gladstone

Social media/website contact info related to campaign: NolteforSenate.com

Prior civic and/or governmental public service experience that aids your ability to serve: From 2004-2012 was a state representative, chairing International Trade and Job Creation Committee, passing the Manufacturing Jobs Act, retaining the Claycomo auto assembly plant, co-chairing Joint Interim Senate/House Committee on Missouri Energy Future, chairing Immigration Committee, passing legislation banning Sanctuary Cities, prohibiting companies from hiring workers who are not legally present in the U.S., serving on the Public Safety Appropriations Committee, Local Government, Tourism and other committees; co-chair of the Clay County Economic Development Council Strategic Plan; past chair of the Kansas City Zoo Taxing District; various Mid America Regional Council boards; various TIF commissions and other boards

 

CANDIDATE BIO: Maggie Nurrenbern

Educational background, including any degrees earned: Bachelor of Arts in Communication- Journalism from Truman State University; Master of Arts in Education-Curriculum and Instruction from UMKC

Occupation: State representative, former teacher

Social media/website contact info related to campaign: Website, maggieformo.com; Facebook, MaggieforMO; X, @MaggieforMO; Instagram, @maggieformo

Prior civic and/or governmental public service experience that aids your ability to serve: Current state representative- District 15, board member of Feed Northland Kids, member of the Northland and Gladstone chambers of commerce