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.
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.
- Brandon Ellington, candidate for Missouri's 9th Senate District
- Missouri state Sen. Barbara Washington, incumbent candidate for Missouri's 9th Senate District