Vote 2026 Archives

Democratic candidate wants to ‘make sure Columbia stays blue’

December 6, 2023 4:55 PM Matthew Sanders

A Columbia nurse and union member says he’s running for Missouri’s 50th House District to make sure it stays in Democratic hands.

Two so far looking at run for Ward 2 Columbia City Council seat

December 5, 2023 10:01 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Two people who applied for the City Council appointment for Columbia’s second ward will be running for the seat in April. Robert Schreiber III and Lisa Meyer are planning runs. Rachel Proffitt was picked by the council last month to fill Andrea Waner’s open seat. Schreiber told ABC 17 News that he’s

Two apply so far for Boone Hospital Board of Trustees race

December 5, 2023 7:37 PM Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Two people have applied for the two open Boone Hospital Trustee seats that will be on the ballot in the April 2024 municipal election. As of Tuesday, Gary Thompson and current Board member Judy Starr are the two people who have applied for the seats. Thompson currently serves as the CEO of

Eight candidates file for five open Jefferson City Council positions

December 5, 2023 11:40 AM Hannah Falcon

Candidates could officially put their names in for local elections starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday. Filing in most places will continue during regular business hours for the city or county government building until 5 p.m. Dec. 26.

Insurance group CEO announces intent to run for Boone Health Board of Trustees seat

December 4, 2023 7:13 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Gary Thompson, the CEO of Columbia Insurance Group, announced an intent to run for one-of-two open Boone Hospital Trustee seats in a Monday press release. Thompson will retire from Columbia Insurance Group on Jan. 1, according to the release. He was the CEO for 12 years. He is currently one of six

Turner announces bid for Boone County southern district commissioner

December 1, 2023 3:49 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Sam Turner announced his bid for Boone County southern district commissioner in a Tuesday press release. Turner is filing as a Republican, according to the release and the Missouri Ethics Commission. The seat is currently held by Democrat Justin Aldred, who announced his reelection bid in September. Turner — who owns Turner

Nonprofit leader, former elected official plans run for Jefferson City Council

November 22, 2023 4:12 PM Lucas Geisler

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) – The president of a local nonprofit and former Illinois county official is planning a run for a southern Jefferson City Council seat. Jan Schumacher filed paperwork with the Missouri Ethics Commission to run for the Ward 4 seat in April 2024. Schumacher is the president of nonprofit Building Community Bridges

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Do you like Missouri’s voter ID law?

November 21, 2023 2:13 AM ABC 17 News Team

The Cole County Circuit Court is hearing a challenge to Missouri’s voter ID law this week.

‘We are turning up the heat’: Biden sharpens critiques of Trump with a year to go until the election

November 17, 2023 12:43 PM CNN Newsource

By Arlette Saenz, CNN Washington, DC (CNN) — President Joe Biden is sharpening his attacks against former President Donald Trump – in public and, even more so, in private – as recent polls show warning signs for the Democrat in their possible rematch next fall. Biden personally wanted to speak out this week after Trump

Jefferson City Ward 2 councilman announces plans to run for re-election

November 15, 2023 10:30 AM Madison Stuerman

Current Jefferson City Councilman Mike Lester has announced he plans to run for re-election in the April municipal election.

Boone County judge planning run for circuit judge seat

November 9, 2023 7:59 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) – A Boone County associate circuit judge is eyeing a run for a mid-Missouri circuit judge next year. Judge Stephanie Morrell filed paperwork on Wednesday with the Missouri Ethics Commission to run for the Division 3 seat in the 13th Judicial Circuit. The circuit covers felony criminal cases and some civil matters

Eldon approves weed tax, Pettis County fire district extends boundaries; more area election results available

November 7, 2023 7:56 PM Ryan Shiner

Editor’s note: Audrain County results were added on Wednesday. COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Multiple counties around Mid-Missouri had elections on Tuesday. Miller County had a pair of propositions on its ballot and Pettis County asked votes if the fire district should expand its boundaries. View the full area results — by county — updated throughout the

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Will you watch the Republican primary debate?

November 8, 2023 4:36 AM ABC 17 News Team

The third Republican presidential primary debate is set for Wednesday night in Miami.

Meta prohibits generative AI tools for political ads

November 7, 2023 8:58 AM CNN Newsource

Meta is prohibiting political advertisers from using the company’s new, artificial intelligence tools that help brands generate text, backgrounds and other marketing content, in what the company says is a decision to limit the technology’s potential risks.

Several Mid-Missouri counties to hold local elections Tuesday

November 7, 2023 6:10 AM Marina Diaz

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Several counties across Mid-Missouri are holding local elections Tuesday. Polls open at 6 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m. Audrain, Chariton, Miller and Osage County are asking community members to head to the polls to decide on several items including sales taxes and emergency management districts among other items. Chariton County

Republican Vernetti says he’ll challenge incumbent Lake of the Ozarks state representative

November 6, 2023 4:56 PM Matthew Sanders

A Camden County businessman said Monday that he will seek to unseat an incumbent in the Missouri House.

Democrats are counting on abortion politics to help deliver wins in key races across the country this week

November 6, 2023 8:00 AM CNN Newsource

In the 16 months since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, six states have held direct votes on the future of abortion rights within their borders. And on six occasions, the pro-abortion rights side has prevailed — including in traditionally conservative states like Kentucky.

Hamra announces gubernatorial bid as Democrat

October 26, 2023 7:32 PM Ryan Shiner

Editor’s note: This article has been corrected to indicate the correct Christopher Wright is running for governor as a Republican. COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Mike Hamra announced a bid for the 2024 Missouri governor in a Thursday press release. Hamra is from Springfield, Missouri, and states he is the CEO of Hamra Enterprises. The release states

Mann announces he will not seek reelection for Missouri House seat, citing mental health concerns

October 25, 2023 7:29 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) State Rep. Doug Mann (D-Columbia) announced in a Wednesday press release that he will not seek reelection for his seat next year. The release states he will forgo a reelection bid “due to lingering mental health concerns.” Mann has suffered from “chronic treatment-resistant depression for years,” according to the release. The release

Queer rights advocate to take on incumbent for Missouri House of Representatives seat

October 22, 2023 7:10 PM Hannah Falcon

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Democratic queer rights advocate is officially in the race to represent the 48th District in the Missouri House of Representatives. Joseph “Joe” Jefferies tells ABC 17 he is running for the state legislature because of recent controversial legislation on transgender youth and adults, libraries and more. He will face off