Attorneys general are the top legal officers of their state or territory. They advise and represent their legislature and state agencies and act as the “People’s Lawyer” for the citizens. One of the most important roles an Attorney General has is implementing state policies on Human trafficking and violent crime both of which greatly impact our children.
Missouri rankings:
- Homicide rate 2nd
- Kids count 30th
- Human trafficking 7th
- Healthcare 41st
- Violent crime rate: 502.1 per 100,000 people
- Imprisonment rate: 687 adults per 100,000 (7th highest)
- Poverty rate: 13.2% (19th highest)
There are three candidates on the ballot for Attorney General:
Eric Schmitt – 45 yr old incumbent appointed, former State treasurer, state senator and councilman
Richard Finneran – 36 yr old, practicing lawyer and teacher, former federal prosecutor and Assistant U.S. Attorney
Kevin Babcock – unknown
Eric Schmitt was appointed to the Missouri Attorney General Office in 2019 by Governor Parsons after the elected Attorney General Josh Hawley was elected to the US Senate. If it were not for a couple of things he has done or participated in since being appointed he would look like the perfect candidate to do what is right for kids. He is a dad who seems to truly care about children, he has a special son so he knows first hand the resources needed for special children. However his priorities do not mention children, he is wasting resources on a lawsuit against China for Covid-19, he has continued in trying to overturn ACA which would kill Medicaid expansion which is so desperately needed right now. Especially in this time of a pandemic, with Missouri sitting at 41st in healthcare and 10,000+ children having no healthcare his priorities are not where they should be in my opinion.
Richard Finneran‘s 3 key messages are protecting healthcare, reforming criminal justice system and people over politics. He is consistent in stating his priorities across all platforms. He specificallany mentions two of the three passed ballot initiatives, Clean Missouri and Medicaid Expansion, both of which are being attacked by the current administration. These initiatives are both very important to Missouri with Medicaid Expansion being critical for our children. The voters already spoke on these two issues and current lawmakers are going against the voters to overturn or change what was passed. Rich Finneran has my vote to do what is right for our children in Missouri.
Kevin Babcock has not filled out any of the questionnaires I have looked at, does not have a website, social media page or any place I can find that states what he stands on any issues. I have to say at this point he is not a viable candidate in my opinion,
MY RANKED VOTING CHOICES
- Richard Finneran
- Eric Schmitt
- Kevin Babcock
BE FOR KIDS 