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Missouri Senate District 9 primary debate: Democrats Barbara Washington and Brandon Ellington

Brandon Ellington and Missouri State Senator Barbara Washington joined KCUR's Up To Date for a debate prior to the August 6 primary election.
Elizabeth Ruiz
Brandon Ellington and Missouri state Sen. Barbara Washington joined KCUR's Up To Date for a debate prior to the August 6 primary election.

Incumbent Missouri state Sen. Barbara Washington and Brandon Ellington are facing off in the 2024 Democratic primary for the 9th Senate District. The candidates joined KCUR's Up To Date for a debate on issues facing the Kansas City region and state.

Brandon Ellington, a former Kansas City Council member and former Missouri House member, is challenging incumbent state Sen. Barbara Washington in the Democratic primary for Missouri's 9th Senate District.

The primary election on August 6 determines which Democrat will face Republican Derron Black in November for the seat representing east and southeast Kansas City.

Incumbent Barbara Washington, a Democrat, is running for re-election in Missouri Senate District 9, which covers Kansas City’s east side and eastern Jackson County. This article is part of the 2024 KC Voter Guide.

Ellington accused Washington of not doing enough to bring state dollars back home. "When we look at the state budget... and we look at the Kansas City region, not receiving over 2% — that's a problem," Ellington said.

Washington disagrees, touting weekly meetings she has with Republican Gov. Mike Parson's staff to advocate for her district.

“We brought back $2.3 billion last year," Washington said, "and I personally have been responsible for a quarter billion, for $250 million.”

Ellington and Washington joined KCUR's Up To Date to discuss issues affecting the 9th Senate District, the state of Missouri and the gridlock in Jefferson City.

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When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.
When you listen to Up To Date, I want you to understand decisions being made in the city, feel inspired by community members, and empathize with people who've had different experiences. As an Up To Date producer, I connect you to the news through conversations with community members and elected officials. Contact me at elizabeth@kcur.org or on Twitter at @er_bentley_ruiz.
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