As we close in on the August primary and look ahead to November’s elections, Kirkwood Patch is devoted to bringing you the information you need about every race in town. Here's our start on the candidates and issues we'll be covering as November draws near.
In addition to our own coverage, we will be inviting candidates in every race to upload information about their campaigns directly to this site. You will definitely want to bookmark this page for updates.
U.S. Senate
Claire McCaskill's bid for re-election will be closely watched by the entire nation in part because of her close ties to President Obama's 2008 campaign.
The fiercely-fought GOP primary will likely see U.S. Rep. Todd Akin (R-Wildwood), former State Treasurer Sarah Steelman or Frontenac businessman John Brunner emerge as McCaskill's opponent.
The "Tea Party" movement will also be a factor in the campaign, with one activist's comments about drawing added scrutiny and security for McCaskill.
In the meantime, dueling .
Congress
Redistricting brought on by the latest Census results has eliminated one of Missouri's congressional districts, to see who will represent the city of St. Louis and areas south, along with portions of St. Louis County stretching to the Maryland Heights border with Creve Coeur.
The primary winner will be an overwhelming favorite against either Robyn Hamlin or Martin Baker in November.
Missouri's new Second district is guaranteed to see someone new elected, with Rep. Akin's decision to run for the Senate. come into the fold to support her, enough so that it helped push Ed Martin to change races.
Wagner would face one of a field of largely-unknown Democrats, none of whom has attracted support from national party leaders.
ISSUES
In August voters will be asked to decide on a measure proposing "a constitutional amendment guaranteeing a citizen's right to pray and worship on public property and reaffirming a citizen's right to choose any or no religion," according to the state law calling for the vote. earlier this year.
The fate of statewide ballot issues will not be decided until later this summer.
Voters in the St. Louis County Public Library system will be asked to vote on a measure which to fund improvements at facilities system-wide.
