Politically Speaking

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.

The latest episode of Politically Speaking features U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt discussing his initial impressions of federal legislative service and the ongoing standoff over raising the nation’s debt ceiling. After serving as a state senator, state treasurer and attorney general, Schmitt was elected to the U.S. Senate last year to succeed Roy Blunt. He currently serves on the Senate Armed Services and Commerce Committee.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, 2nd Ward Alderman Tom Oldenburg discusses chairing a committee on red tape, finding common ground with the growing progressive bloc at City Hall, and plans for his political future.

Sen. Lauren Arthur, a Democrat from Kansas City, is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. Arthur speaks with St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum to talk about this year's session so far, as well as her opinions on the final week. A member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Arthur also speaks on what she liked about this year's budget and what she was disappointed in.

On a special edition of Politically Speaking, St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum talks with Attorney General Andrew Bailey about whether his office, and regional prosecutors, can help stabilize the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's office. He also talked about why he's not ready to drop his quo warranto case against Kim Gardner, who announced her resignation earlier this week.

U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, of Illinois’ 12th District, recently returned to Washington, D.C. after a trip to the U.S.-Mexico border, where the border patrol is struggling with an uptick in agent suicide, he said. Many of those agents are veterans. As chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Bost said that’s concerning. More broadly, figuring out how to make the system at the border better is a tough subject, Bost said.

When an 84-year-old white man shot 16-year-old African-American Ralph Yarl in Kansas City earlier this month, people around the state and country were outraged. And now, Andrew Lester is facing felony charges. St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum talked with Saint Louis University Law School professor Anders Walker about how Missouri’s castle doctrine and stand your ground laws likely won’t help Lester.

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft joined St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg on the latest episode of Politically Speaking to talk about a host of issues confronting his office and the state. That includes Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s rules restricting gender-affirming care for minors and adults.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, Democratic U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, whose 13th District includes a portion of the Metro East, reflects on her first 100 days in office.