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Missouri Senate District 7 primary debate: Democrats Patty Lewis and Pat Contreras

State Representative Patty Lewis (left) and Pat Contreras (right), two Democratic candidates vying to represent Missouri's 5th Senate District, joined KCUR's Up To Date for a debate on the issues ahead of the August 6 primary election.
Elizabeth Ruiz
/
KCUR
State Representative Patty Lewis (left) and Pat Contreras (right), two Democratic candidates vying to represent Missouri's 5th Senate District, joined KCUR's Up To Date for a debate on the issues ahead of the August 6 primary election.

Pat Contreras and Patty Lewis are facing off in the 2024 Democratic primary for Missouri's 7th Senate District. The candidates joined KCUR's Up To Date for a debate and to discuss what issues are facing the district.

When Missouri state Sen. Greg Razer, D-Kansas City, announced he would leave office early to accept an appointment to the state tax commission, it created an open seat representing much of the city.

It's a heavily Democratic area — which means the August 6 primary election will likely be highly consequential. Missouri state Rep. Patty Lewis and Pat Contreras are facing off in the Democratic primary, and the winner will face Republican Joey LaSalle in November.

On KCUR's Up To Date, Lewis and Contreras engaged in a debate on the issues, highlighting what separates them in their backgrounds, positions and visions that will help voters decide next month.

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As a host and contributor at KCUR, I seek to create a more informed citizenry and richer community. I want to enlighten and inspire our audience by delivering the information they need with accuracy and urgency, clarifying what’s complicated and teasing out the complexities of what seems simple. I work to craft conversations that reveal realities in our midst and model civil discourse in a divided world. Follow me on Twitter @ptsbrian or email me at brian@kcur.org.
As a producer for KCUR’s Up To Date, I want listeners to leave the show feeling informed and empowered to make decisions in their daily lives. Whether we’re spotlighting the voice of a creative, business owner or lawmaker, I present stories that matter deeply to Kansas City’s diverse communities. Reach me at claudiab@kcur.org.
As Up To Date’s senior producer, I want to pique the curiosity of Kansas Citians and help them understand the world around them. Each day, I construct conversations with our city’s most innovative visionaries and creatives, while striving to hold elected officials accountable and amplifying the voices of everyday Kansas Citians. Email me at zach@kcur.org.
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