Democratic candidates for Missouri District 47 present legislative priorities at forum
A redrawn, more competitive district and a term limit for Chuck Basye, R-Rocheport, led to two Boone County Democrats throwing in their respective hats to fill a seat in the Missouri House of Representatives District 47.
They are Adrian Plank and Chimene Schwach. Whoever is nominated in the Aug. 2 primary will face off in the November general election against Republican John Martin, who is running unopposed in the primary.
The 47th District encompasses most of the northwestern portion of Boone County, including parts of Columbia's fourth, fifth and second wards.
Plank and Schwach took part in a candidate forum Thursday hosted by the League of Women Voters of Columbia and Boone County held at the Columbia Public Library. Martin was not included because his primary race is uncontested.
The forum was moderated by David Lile, who retired from a 33-year career in radio, with 25 years at KFRU, in February.
More: There's only one contested primary in Boone County's Missouri House races; others set for November
The pair discussed top priorities and how they plan to achieve them despite the Republican supermajority in the Missouri House.
Top state office priority
Plank took an all-encompassing approach in addressing constituent concerns, noting a request from Rocheport for flood control, lack of adequate educator pay in Sturgeon and property rights concerns from Harrisburg.
Schwach's top priority is women's reproductive health and rights. A battle over the state's trigger law, which went into effect after the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization U.S. Supreme Court decision reversing Roe v. Wade, is a priority, Schwach said. She recognizes fixing that will not be immediate, she added.
Schwach touted her connections to statewide organizations such as the Missouri Family Health Council as its vice president, providing Title X family planning.
"I reach across the aisle and am in workgroups with people. I am well-suited to collaborate, which is needed in Jefferson City to get legislation passed," she said.
Plank grew up around conservative values and he knows how to speak that language, he said.
"We have to find the issues we agree on," Plank said, noting his plans for farming policies he hopes will diversify farming and reduce corporate farming in the state. "I think it is that one value alone that allows me to speak the Republican language."
Gun control opinions
The perennial topic of gun control was addressed Thursday. Both candidates support some form of gun regulation.
Plank favors gun safety certifications for owners.
"We are out of control and we need a legislature that will advocate for safety laws," he said.
Schwach, who is endorsed by Everytown for Gun Safety, an extension of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense, noted her history growing up around guns and favoring common-sense gun legislation. Schwach also volunteers with Moms Demand Action.
"What we have here in Missouri with permitless carry, there is no reason we cannot license guns," Schwach said.
Public education support
A plank of Schwach's platform is fully funding public education, saying she wants to reduce the state government overreach with its policies affecting public schools.
"We need to let cities who elect their school boards deal with local issues," she said.
Plank wants to be supportive of teachers and make it so they are able to collectively bargain for advancements, such as income, he said.
"Teachers need to be able to stand for themselves, and it is a real damper on the system when they are not allowed to strike. ... That is something I'll push for at the state house," Plank said.
Charles Dunlap covers local government, community stories and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on Twitter. Please consider subscribing to support vital local journalism.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Democratic Missouri House District 47 candidates tout priorities
