Elections

Lori Muser previously served two terms on the Joplin School Board prior to retiring in January.

The Cape Girardeau native was elected as the leader of the Missouri Republican Party earlier this month.

Missouri Republicans have made multiple attempts in recent years to raise the approval percentage a proposed constitutional amendment needs in order to pass.

Peter Kinder defeated former state Sen. Bill Eigel in the race to lead the Missouri GOP.

Perhaps the Joplin City Council was looking for an experienced placeholder when the body selected former council member Anthony Monteleone to serve until April of 2023. Monteleone served a two-year term on the council from 2020 to 2022, choosing not to run for reelection.

The Joplin City Council will appoint a temporary council member who will serve from December 2023 through April 2024. During those five months, the individual will be able to run for the remaining two years of Kate Spencer's time in office. Residents will also elect two general council seats and seats in Zone 3 and 4.

Four seats, two general and two zone seats are up for reelection next April. All four are for four-year terms.

Residents first approved the sales tax in 2013, supplementing the City’s public safety budget bringing in, on average, 1.6 million dollars annually.

(R) Governor Mike Parson has repeatedly promised that the state would fully fund education under his administration. Still, even with a 6 billion dollar surplus, little movement has occurred to follow that pledge.

Democrats picked up three seats in the Missouri House during the 2022 elections. Two months later, they are hopeful they may be able to capture another.