Politically Speaking

State Sen. Bill Eigel talks with STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg about his bid for governor — as well as how he'd approach a host of issues as Missouri's chief executive. The Weldon Spring Republican also discussed fallout from veto session.

St. Louis Alderman Rasheen Aldridge joins STLPR's Rachel Lippmann and Jason Rosenbaum to talk about his transition into aldermanic life. The 14th Ward Democrat previously served as a state representative for the 78th District House seat — and now has more opportunities to make a policy impact after departing from a chamber where Democrats are in the superminority.

Rep. Paula Brown makes her appearance as a guest on Politically Speaking for the first time. The Hazelwood Democrat joins St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum to discuss topics like the upcoming veto session, what education issues she expects to return in the upcoming session as well as the 2024 election.

Sen. Karla Eslinger makes her debut on Politically Speaking. The Wasola Republican joins St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum to discuss the upcoming veto session. Eslinger also spoke on education, foreign acquisition of farmland as well as the 2024 session and election.

The latest episode of Politically Speaking features state Rep. Doug Clemens talking with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg on the public policy response to radioactive waste contamination. Clemens represents Missouri’s 72nd House District, which takes in portions of northwest St. Louis County. He was first elected to his post in 2018.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, state Rep. Melanie Stinnett discusses her entry into the Missouri General Assembly. The Springfield Republican represents Missouri’s 133rd District, which takes in portions of Greene County. She was elected in 2022 to succeed Curtis Trent, who vacated the seat to run for the state Senate.

Earlier this summer, a consortium of media agencies dropped a bombshell report: The federal government spent decades downplaying or ignoring the risks of radioactive waste in the St. Louis area. And while the issue has been prominent in places like north St. Louis County and St. Charles County for quite some time, the spotlight on the documents revealed in the media reports — and the work of activists who have sought to bring attention to it — sparked fresh calls for governmental action. U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley has been particularly outspoken on the issue. He managed to get an amendment attached to a critical national defense bill that could compensate people in St. Louis who became sick. Hawley spoke with STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum about the unusual legislative trajectory of his proposal — and whether it can survive tough legislative headwidns.

State Sen. Andrew Koenig joins St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum to talk about his candidacy for state Treasurer. The Manchester Republican also spoke on why lawmakers need to try again at making the state's constitution harder to amend.

Former Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon jumped back into the political fray. The longtime Democratic official is joining the political group "No Labels" as the director of the organization's Ballot Integrity Project. He said he joined the group that emphasizes centrist political views because he was upset that some Democratic groups are trying to block a potential presidential ticket from certain states. “It deeply, deeply troubled me that we were in a situation in which you had folks working against the public's ability to get things on the ballot,” Nixon said.

State Rep. Hannah Kelly of Mountain Groves returns to Politically Speaking to talk about changes to Missouri's Children's Division, expectations for the 2024 legislative session and why she supports raising the threshold to amend the state's constitution.

State Rep. Michael Burton is the latest guest on “Politically Speaking,” where he spoke about his impressions of the 2023 legislative session. Burton is a Lakeshire Democrat who represents the state’s 92nd District. He was first elected in 2020 and reelected in 2022. His district, which takes in a slice of south St. Louis County, is split relatively evenly between Republicans and Democrats.

The Platte County Democrat talks with STLPR's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum about Gov. Mike Parson's budget vetoes, her expectations for the 2024 session — and why she's running for House Minority Leader.

Missouri Treasurer Vivek Malek will have competition next year as he seeks a full four-year term. House Budget Chairman Cody Smith said on an episode of Politically Speaking that he will run in the GOP primary for the statewide office. The Carthage Republican said his experience leading the committee that helps craft the state’s budget sets him up well to be treasurer.

St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann is not running for a sixth term in 2026. He sat down with STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum to explain what's changed in Missouri politics since he started out in the late 1980s — and what needs to be done in the St. Louis region.

State Rep. Steve Butz joins STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg to talk about effort to clamp down on gun violence in the city of St. Louis. The Democrat from south St. Louis also discussed what to expect in the 2024 legislative session — and how his party is gearing up for a pivotal election cycle.

Mike Jones returns to Politically Speaking to talk about St. Louis Prosecutor Wesley Bell’s entrance into the U.S. Senate race — and the state of the St. Louis region’s politics. Jones numerous titles throughout the past few decades include service as a St. Louis alderman, a corporate executive, the head of the St. Louis housing authority and an adviser to a St. Louis mayor and a St. Louis County executive. He also served on the state Board of Education.

The latest episode of Politically Speaking features GOP Congressman Mark Alford of Raymore talking with STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum. Alford talks about his agenda for Ft. Leonard Wood, fallout from the debt ceiling vote and much more.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, state Rep. Bill Hardwick talks about fallout from the 2023 legislative session and what next year may bring. Hardwick is an attorney who was first elected to the Missouri House in 2020. The Waynesville Republican represents a portion of Pulaski County, including Fort Leonard Wood.

Joe McCulloch recently took over as St. Charles County prosecutor after his predecessor Tim Lohmar resigned. If McCulloch’s name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the brother of former St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch — who served in his post from 1991 until the end of 2018.

Minority leader for the Missouri House of Representatives Crystal Quade returns as a guest. The Springfield Democrat speaks to St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg about her thoughts on the 2023 Missouri Legislative Session as well as her predictions on the 2024 General Election, including if she plans to run for governor.