Missouri's general election is November 3, with voters deciding on several key amendments, state Senate and House seats,, and U.S. Senate and House seats.
For Missouri House District 160, voters in Newton County and parts of Jasper County will fill a seat that has been vacant since May 2025. The previous representative, Ben Baker, left to become Missouri's Director of USDA Rural Development.
Four other House districts across the state became vacant last year,but a writ of election for a special election to fill those seats was never called.
District 160 voters will decide between Republican Cheryle Perkins and Democrat Angela Thomas.
Perkins has been the Newton County tax assessor for 23 years. Her campaign goals include tax reform and improving the state’s mental health facilities.
“And to get some structure and redevelopment of the state tax commission in order to help the assessors with their process,” she said.
These issues concern voters most, according to Perkins. She said voters she's spoken with are most concerned about taxes and rural healthcare.
When asked about the district's vacancy, she said former Rep. Dirk Deaton was able to fill in when available. Deaton represented parts of Newton and McDonald counties in District 159. Perkins went to Deaton often for assessor questions.
Democratic candidate Angela Thomas is a retired hairdresser. She previously served as chair of the Newton County Democrats.
She said Gov. Mike Kehoe not calling a special election for the vacant districts seems to be a pattern. She was one of several people who called every day for months, asking the governor what his plans were.
“And I feel like he's not doing his job," Thomas said. "And that's something that needs to be addressed because this community deserves representation just as any other community would.”
This is her third time running for District 160. She previously ran in 2018 and 2020. She ran for the first time because she wanted to do something about the local political climate.
“And at that point, it was just that I was tired of grousing at the television, decided that I should step up and do something,” Thomas said.
According to Thomas, little has changed since her first run eight years ago.
Voters are concerned about affordability for families and farmers, Medicaid and healthcare costs.
If elected, she wants to ensure Missouri's public schools are fully funded and to listen to her constituents' concerns.
Two women on the midterm election ballot for District 160 is unprecedented.
A Republican has held the district since 1998, when Peter Meyers was elected to the seat.
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