Election Day is almost upon the voters of Columbia, and one of the major issues they will decide is the future funding of the University of Missouri. Columbia is split between five state House of Representatives districts, and all five seats will be up for reelection. Columbians will also be voting for their state senator representing District 19 (Boone and Cooper Counties).
All candidates have included funding for higher education as part of their platform. The following guide will further inform voters as they head to the booths this Tuesday.
To find out which district you live in, search for your name on the Boone County Clerk’s website and click on _View Sample Ballot_.
###Senate Race
**State Senator District 19**
**Stephen Webber, Democratic Party**
Experience: State Representative, District 46, 2008-Present; U.S. Marine Corps, 2004-2007
Higher Education Funding: “Politically motivated attacks on Mizzou have led to cuts that harm students, families and our local economy,” Webber said, according [to the Columbia Missourian](http://voterguide.columbiamissourian.com/race-detail.do?id=15193665). “The Missouri legislature has cut funding for our colleges and universities, burdening families with increased tuition. These short-sighted cuts also undermine the ability of our University to act as an engine of innovation. With investments in research and training at Mizzou, we can create high-tech manufacturing jobs and train a highly skilled workforce.”
Other Platform Points: Support Missouri Nondiscrimination Act to protect people of all genders and sexual orientations; create jobs and fund education through Medicaid expansion; sponsor legislation to close the gender pay gap
Social Media:
[Website](http://www.votewebber.com/)
[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/vote.webber)
[Twitter](https://twitter.com/s_webber)
**Caleb Rowden, Republican Party**
Experience: State Representative, District 44, 2012-Present; owner, Clarius Interactive, 2012-Present
Higher Education Funding: “We must ensure that it has the resources it needs to not only maintain that status, but to grow and develop as a national leader in innovation and education,” Rowden said, according to his website. “Additionally, we must acknowledge the reality that students will have a much harder time entering the workforce at the appropriate level when they are weighed down with thousands upon thousands of dollars in debt. Prioritizing the future trajectory of our college students must be a priority for Missouri’s General Assembly in the years to come.”
Other Platform Points: Achieve a balanced budget through less government spending and tax cuts; prioritize the future trajectory of higher education; promote education through increased use of available technology; increase transparency and accountability by implementing ethics reforms
Social Media:
[Website](https://calebrowden.com/)
[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/calebrowden/)
[Twitter](https://twitter.com/calebrowden)
####House of Representatives Races
**State Representative District 44**
Tom Pauley for State Rep**Tom Pauley, Democratic Party**
Experience: Insurance Consultant, 2007-Present; intern for Missouri State senator, 2007-2008; Democratic Central Committee member, 1978 to Present
Higher Education Funding: According to the Columbia Missourian, Pauley strongly disagreed that state appropriations for higher education are adequate to meet the needs of students. “The Missouri State legislature has underfunded the higher education budget for several years and this must change,” he said. “The trend seems to be to give tax breaks to the wealthy and multi-national corporations and placing more and more of the burden on the backs of the students. This causes the students to graduate with crushing debt owed to the lending institutions that are controlled by the wealthy. We must stop this vicious cycle.”
Other Platform Points: Reform funding for education through an overhaul of the Foundation Formula; improve the economy and access to healthcare through Medicaid expansion; implement ethics reform through lobbyist gift bans
Social Media:
[Website](http://pauley44.com/)
[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Pauley44)
[Twitter](https://twitter.com/pauley4rep)
Facebook, Cheri Toalson Reisch**Cheri Toalson Reisch, Republican Party**
Experience: Mayor of Hallsville, 2012-2016; Hallsville City Clerk, 1981-2011
Higher Education Funding: Reisch has no official platform point concerning higher education, but according to her campaign website, Reisch “believes in the power of education to catapult our children into a 21st century economy with the tools they need to thrive! [I have] worked to enhance education as Mayor of Hallsville and will work to ensure our schools are properly funded and held accountable to ensure our student’s future success.”
Other Platform Points: Improve education by ensuring schools are properly funded and held accountable; empower taxpayers through a balanced budget and low tax rates; create jobs through expansion and recruitment of businesses
Social Media:
[Website](https://cheri44.com/)
[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/cheri.reisch)
[Twitter](https://twitter.com/cherimo44)
**State Representative District 45**
Friends of Kip Kendrick**Kip Kendrick, Democratic Party**
Experience: State Representative, District 45, 2014-Present; Boone County Family Resources coordinator, 2011-2015
Higher Education Funding: According to the Columbia Missourian, Kendrick said, “Current funding for public higher education is inadequate. Missouri ranks 44th in the nation in higher ed. The UM System has 18,000 more students than it did in 2002 yet receives less in real dollar appropriations than it did 14 years ago. Special interest tax cuts have meant a cost shift from state to student. Underfunding our public higher ed institutions not only negatively impacts Missouri’s competitive advantage in the 21st Century economy; it also disadvantages middle class families.”
Other Platform Points: Improve the economy and healthcare access by expanding Medicaid; secure funding to improve college affordability through the Student Debt Relief Act; protect women’s right to choose; promote the inclusion of all religious and gender identities through the Missouri Non-Discrimination Act; reform ethics policy in Congress
Social Media:
[Website](http://www.kipkendrick.com/)
[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/friendsofkipkendrick)
[Twitter](https://twitter.com/Kipk45)
[YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8ZuELNohVFGJohlBOlZfNw)
**William Lee, Independent**
Experience: Medical Laboratory Scientist, Boone Hospital Center, 2010-Present
Higher Education Funding: According to the Columbia Missourian, Lee disagreed that state appropriations for higher education are adequate to meet the needs of students. “This year was a disappointment to all because budget cuts at the university had wide reaching effects to workers and students,” he said. “While I understand that the budget needs to be balanced, I think other areas of spending could have been cut rather than education itself. We should not punish an institution of higher learning by slashing a budget that directly affects its main purpose: education.”
Other Platform Points: Expand the economy for small businesses by reviewing the business income tax code; reform welfare by implementing a “workfare” system; support stewardship of resources through reasonable efforts to reduce carbon emissions and research clean energy technology; amend healthcare by stopping Medicaid expansion and implementing TORT reforms; connect with constituents through daily, weekly and monthly outreach efforts
Social Media:
[Website](https://www.citizensforwilliamlee.com/home.html)
[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/williamleemodistrict45)
**State Representative District 46**
Facebook, Friends of Martha Stevens**Martha Stevens, Democratic Party**
Experience: Social Worker, 2006-Present
Higher Education Funding: According to the Columbia Missourian, Stevens strongly disagreed that state appropriations for higher education are adequate to meet the needs of students. “Funding higher education is one of my top priorities,” she said. “I am disappointed that the State Legislature has not provided adequate funding for our public universities. The lack of funding from the state has resulted in tuition increases and rising student debt. In 1990, the state funded 70% of MU’s general operating costs; in 2016 the state is only funding 36% of those costs. I am committed to advocate for more funding for our university so that higher education is affordable for everyone.”
Other Platform Points: Improve access to healthcare through Medicaid expansion; expand access to and protect the right to vote; promote equal protection for LGBTQ Missourians; increase investment in both K-12 and higher education; create a working economy through Medicaid expansion, protecting the rights of workers and an increased minimum wage
Social Media:
[Website](http://www.friendsofmarthastevens.org/)
[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfMarthaStevens)
[Twitter](https://twitter.com/Martha4MO)
Facebook, Don Waterman**Don Waterman, Republican Party**
Experience: Bass Pro Shops Team Lead, 2013-Present; Personnelman Chief, US Navy, 1977-200
Higher Education Funding: According to the Columbia Missourian, Waterman agreed that state appropriations for higher education are adequate to meet the needs of students. “They are currently adequate for today. What tomorrow brings in terms of enrollment will be a different matter,” he said. “I know of no schools turning students away because they cannot afford them. I know many will agree that the funding levels could be more; however, the legislature has to work within a budget. As our economy grows, more money will be available not just for higher education but for all programs.” He also, according to his campaign website, said, “A college education is an admirable goal, yet there is a constant and even growing demand for individuals with training and skills to work with their hands, a skilled trade. Jobs are there, there are just not enough qualified individuals available to fill them. We can work to close that skills gap by making sure that training is available in Columbia and helping individuals find it.”
Other Platform Points: Increase awareness of and funding for mental health crises in Missouri; promote economic growth by lowering taxes, reducing regulations and incentivizing local businesses; close the educational “skills gap” by offering training in skilled trade; advocate for Second Amendment rights by opposing further enforcement; protect the right to life of the unborn
Social Media:
[Website](https://votewaterman.com/)
[Twitter](https://twitter.com/votewaterman)
**State Representative District 47**
Facebook, Susan McClintic**Susan McClintic, Democratic Party**
Experience: Educator, Columbia Public Schools, 1987-Present; Public School Retirement System Trustee, 2010-Present
Higher Education Funding: According to the Columbia Missourian, McClintic strongly disagreed that state appropriations for higher education are adequate to meet the needs of students. McClintic said, “Students should be at the center of any decision regarding education. Unfortunately, politically motivated attacks on Mizzou by my opponent’s party hurt our community and increase the cost of college for families. These attacks also jeopardize the economic health of our region. As your state representative, I will focus on serving our community and will work to make college more affordable by preserving and protecting the University of Missouri.”
Other Platform Points: Expand Medicaid to further serve veterans and create new jobs; secure state funding for primary education; increase funding to the University of Missouri; support Second Amendment rights through sensible background checks; protect and preserve Missouri family farms; push to pass the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act
Social Media:
[Website](http://www.susanforrep.com)
[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/susanforrep)
[Twitter](https://twitter.com/susanjmcclintic)
**Charles (Chuck) Basye, Republican Party**
Experience: State Representative, District 47, 2014-Present; Federal Aviation Administration, 1984-2014
Higher Education Funding: “Mid-Missouri benefits greatly from a robust and thriving higher education system,” Basye’s campaign website reads. “Whether it be the University of Missouri’s flagship campus or a great two year option like Moberly Area Community College, Chuck will continue to work to secure more resources for our higher education institutions. We must continue to be mindful of the rising cost of higher education and the student debt bubble, and work together to make sure college is affordable to anyone who wants a degree.”
Other Platform Points: Ensure access to education funding through increased accountability; secure resources for higher education institutes; reduce taxes on small businesses and citizens to improve the economy; help agriculture prosper through less government involvement
Social Media:
[Website](https://chuckbasye47.com/)
[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ChuckBasye47/)
[Twitter](https://twitter.com/chuckbasye47)
**State Representative District 50**
**Caleb Jones, Republican Party**
Experience: Missouri State Representative, 2010-Present; Attorney, 2005-Present
Higher Education Funding: According to his campaign website, Jones said he “is committed to ensuring that funding our education system is the top funding priority, as required by the Missouri Constitution. Access to a quality education system prepares future generations for a competitive world, ensuring they have the tools to succeed. As part of [my] commitment to education, [I] will work to reverse cuts to our flagship universities and ensure adequate funding for the colleges which prepare Missouri’s young people for the future.”
Other Platform Points: Create jobs through market-based strategies that give a competitive advantage; ensure funding for education by reversing tax cuts; protect constitutional rights such as the right to life and Second Amendment rights through legislation; increase accountability by more fiercely punishing corruption
Social Media:
[Website](http://www.calebmjones.com/)
[Twitter](https://twitter.com/calebmjones)
_Edited by Emily Gallion | egallion@themaneater.com_