Republicans

Members of the Missouri House and Senate have adjourned for spring break, marking the halfway point of the legislative session. So far, the GOP-controlled chambers have passed bills to raise state employee pay, restrict how schools can teach about race, and limit voter-led ballot initiatives.

The Jackson County Republican Party considered censuring state Rep. Chris Sander, a Lone Jack Republican, after he introduced an amendment changing the Missouri Constitution’s language defining marriage.

The former president helped Republicans cruise to statewide victories twice — but some at the Missouri GOP celebration in Springfield doubt that he can win a general election next year.

Rep. Sam Graves represents the largest Congressional district in Missouri. With a high-profile new position chairing the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Graves has a big platform and plans to use his influence to bring a lot of highway funding home to Missouri.

After a long debate at the Missouri House, women lawmakers will face a tougher dress code when they return to the floor. But Democrats criticized Republicans for spending time restricting women's clothing.

After a musical drag performance at the annual Columbia Values Diversity Breakfast, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey sent letters to the Columbia public school district and city officials accusing them of violating laws protecting children from sexually explicit material. The group says the performance was "completely G-rated."

After a series of unsuccessful votes this week, the narrow Republican majority in the U.S. House has failed to unite around a single nominee for speaker of the House.

Republican Roy Blunt, Missouri's senior senator, will leave office next month after serving in Washington, D.C. since 1997.

Republican Eric Schmitt topped Democrat Trudy Busch Valentine in a contest that lacked the suspense of previous Senate elections.

Compared to other recent races for the U.S. Senate, the contest between Eric Schmitt and Trudy Busch Valentine has been a low-energy affair.

Democrats have hoped for years to cut into the Republican supermajority in Jefferson City. While the chances of that are slim this election, newly drawn statehouse districts means Republicans may have to fight harder for their seats.

Once a Democratic stronghold, a swing congressional district in northern Missouri became dominated by Republicans, thanks to a national realignment and the influence of conservative media. Plus: Why a Democratic candidate thinks she has a shot to flip a Kansas House district in Johnson County.