Star recommends Crystal Williams for Senate, Sarah Gillooly for House

The Kansas City Star has issued its recommendations for candidates in two Midtown races. The primary election will be held Tuesday, August 7. Here is what the Star said about each of them:

 Missouri Senate

District 7: This seat came open as a result of the state’s redistricting process and drew two strong candidates in the Democratic primary. Our choice is Crystal Williams, a dynamic Jackson County legislator who has made a career of championing the right causes in Jefferson City.

As a lobbyist for Partnership for Children and other groups, Williams has fought for better schools, accessible health care and women’s reproductive rights, and for better treatment of children and vulnerable citizens.

As a county legislator, she boldly took on the old boys’ network in the courthouse and won respect for doing so. We would expect her to do the same in the Capitol.

Her opponent, Jason Holsman, has represented a House district in Grandview for six years. He is a respected lawmaker, but right now the region needs a fighter. That’s Williams.

The district encompasses downtown, parts of midtown Kansas City, Grandview and a slice of Lee’s Summit. No Republican is running.

Missouri House

District 24: Voters in this midtown Kansas City district are fortunate to have two strong candidates on the ballot. Our choice is Sarah Gillooly. As manager of governmental affairs for Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri, she knows how to make the case for women’s health and reproductive rights. Smart and passionate, she is well-suited to speak to the needs of her district and its constituents.

 Her opponent in the Democratic primary is Judy Morgan, former president of the union representing teachers in the Kansas City Public Schools. Morgan is a hard worker, knowledgeable and well-connected. Voters can’t go wrong in this race, but Gillooly strikes us as the candidate more likely to have an impact. Jonathan Sternberg is running on the Republican ticket.

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