Missouri Senate

Karla Eslinger, an Ozark Republican who served the past four years as a Missouri state senator, passed on a second term. Instead, she began her tenure as commissioner of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in June.

Incoming Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin said Missouri’s Children’s Division has failed in its core mission and needs to be restructured to protect vulnerable children.

Whether or not Democrats can deny the GOP its veto-proof majority on Tuesday will come down to a handful of districts across the state, including races in Jackson County and Clay County.

Democrat Patty Lewis and Republican Joey LaSalle are running for Missouri Senate District 7 in western Jackson County. Both candidates joined KCUR's Up To Date to debate who would best represent voters.

Much of midtown, South Kansas City and Grandview have been without a state senator since April. After winning last week's primary, Democratic Missouri Rep. Patty Lewis shares what's next as she heads toward November's election against Republican Joey LaSalle.

Missouri Democrats are hoping that abortion and minimum wage ballot initiatives will help boost the party to its biggest gains of century. How much of a stranglehold the GOP will have in the Senate will be decided in six districts, five of which are in major metro areas.

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.

Missouri state Sen. Greg Razer isn't seeking another term, which leaves his Kansas City seat up for grabs. We’ll meet the two Democrats vying to represent the 7th District.

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.

This year’s Missouri General Assembly session was defined by fighting among factions in the Republican Party amid campaigns for other offices ahead of the November general election. It resulted in a recent low for passing legislation. Most laws are still waiting a signature or veto from Gov. Mike Parson.

John Rizzo, who has served as the Missouri Senate Minority Leader since 2021, will pivot to a new role overseeing the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals stadiums complex.

Denton Loudermill sued Republican state Sens. Rick Brattin, Denny Hoskins and Nick Schroer over posts they made on social media falsely accusing him of being an undocumented immigrant and the shooter at the Kansas City Chiefs victory parade. The three senators are being represented by Attorney General Andrew Bailey.