Two Republicans are vying for the chance to compete for the District 132 state House seat that covers north Springfield and Greene County. Stephanos Freeman and Bernadean McAfee will be on the primary ballot this Aug. 6.
Crystal Quade is currently representing the 132nd district, but she is at the end of her term limit and running for governor this election.
There is one Democratic Party candidate in this race, Jeremy Dean. He is an operations manager for a local nonprofit and the issues important to him include health care and reproductive rights, nondiscrimination, education, jobs, local control and public safety, according to his website .
Who is Stephanos Freeman?
Website: www.facebook.com/Freeman131
Who is he? Freeman previously ran for this seat in 2022, against Crystal Quade. In 2020, he ran for a seat in District 131. Freeman is from Willard and a lifelong Springfield-area resident. According to his author bio on Amazon, Freeman has a bachelor's degree in sociology from Missouri State University.
Why is he running? Freeman believes that "the very people who say they are solving our problems are making our problems worse" when it comes to homlessness and development.
"They’re going to do the same thing here that they did in New York City, St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago and L.A. They take the historical part of the town — mostly minorities and poor people — and they move them out, move their rich friends in and stick you in a tenement stacked on top of one another and crime festers," Freeman said during the July 11 forum.
In past reporting , Freeman has said that he is more representative of his district than others in the legislature.
What does he want to do if elected? In the July 11 forum, Freeman expressed a desire "to out" legislators that are accepting money from organizations that influence how they vote.
"No, I actually want to go (to the House) and find out what’s going on, and target the people and dig up what’s going on with them so I can tell you exactly what’s going on with them," Freeman said. "For the most part you can get things done if you know where people’s pain spot is. I hate to do that, but it’s either that or bribery. Which one would you prefer?"
Freeman has also said that he wants to address the centralization of power since "we have way too much power in so few hands with not enough transparency."
Who is Bernadean McAfee?
Website: www.electbernadeanmcafee.com
Who is she? McAfee is a real estate broker who grew up in Republic and has lived in north Springfield since 1997. She has one daughter and has been twice widowed. McAfee is also a court-appointed special advocate volunteer.
“I took care of my husband through his cancer diagnosis. I took care of my mother through her cancer diagnosis. I took care of my disabled aunt for five years after my mother passed away," McAfee said during a candidate forum. "I have a heart for advocacy, people and my community.”
More: What's on the ballot in Springfield and Greene County in the August primary elections
Why is she running? McAfee wants to "get results" for her community, according to a press release , saying that she will provide "action and accountability." During the candidate forum, she called the district "her heart, her home."
“We do have challenges here and I don’t think we have any easy answers but I know there are so many people who have a heart for my district and the north side that will work through them," McAfee said. "That’s why I want to be a part of the solution for that.”
What does she want to do if elected? McAfee has promised to hold politicians accountable to the people, uphold Constitutional freedoms and strengthen the economy. She believes 30 years of conflict mediation will serve her well in Jefferson City.
"I’ve mediated some very difficult situations. I am known to be an effective communicator and I think that we can have healthy conversations," McAfee said. "We can have healthy debates. We can reach a place where we can agree for the better of the community."
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Here are the 2 Republicans vying for Crystal Quade's District 132 seat
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