Candidates for office in Missouri complete Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey


Below are a selection of responses from the candidates who filled out Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey since May 15, 2022. To read each candidate’s full responses, click their name at the bottom of the article.

Raymond Reed is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District and the Democratic primary is on Aug. 2. Here’s how Reed responded to the question “Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?”

“Obviously Barack Obama because I think we both approach politics and life similarly with an optimistic and hopeful outlook. But I also have to give credit to Jason Kander (former Secretary of State in Missouri). Most folks think Kander materialized in a viral 2016 campaign ad of him breaking down an assault rifle while blindfolded, but I always encourage folks to research his work in the Missouri legislature and more importantly his work since 2018 protecting our democracy and fighting for veterans. Kander is some one who always placed integrity over expediency and service over his own ambition, and I’ve tried to emulate that in my own race.”

Click here to read the rest of Reed’s answers. 

Christopher Ray is running for Missouri House of Representatives District 111 and the Republican primary is on Aug. 2. Here’s how Ray responded to the question “Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?”

“We have districts for a reason and an elected individual from each district for a reason. That reason is clear. Each district is going to have a difference of opinion on many subjects that come across the legislatures table. If everyone agreed on every subject we would not need districts. The system we have in place was designed to have differences of opinion and to put those differences to a vote amongst others from other areas in our state. In the end after a vote is how a compromise is made.”

Click here to read the rest of Ray’s answers. 

If you’re a Missouri candidate or incumbent, click here to take the survey. The survey contains over 30 questions, and you can choose the ones you feel will best represent your views to voters. If you complete the survey, a box with your answers will display on your Ballotpedia profile. Your responses will also populate the information that appears in our mobile app, My Vote Ballotpedia.

If you’re not running for office but you would like to know more about candidates in Missouri, share the link and urge them to take the survey!

Additional reading:

  • Aaron Crossley (D) – Missouri House of Representatives District 29
  • Robert Smith (L) – Missouri House of Representatives District 125
  • Raymond Reed (D) – U.S. House Missouri 2nd District
  • Jon Karlen (D) – U.S. House Missouri 3rd District
  • Matthew Griese (R) – Missouri House of Representatives District 108
  • Christopher Ray (R) – Missouri House of Representatives District 111
  • Don Houston (D) – Missouri House of Representatives District 68
  • Andrew Daly (D) – U.S. House Missouri 3rd Congressional District
  • Andrew Hurt (R) – Missouri House of Representatives District 125