Get to Know the Candidates: Missouri Senate District 7: Pat Contreras and Patty Lewis

By Sara Wiercinski

Missouri’s 7th Senatorial District, which covers the west and most of the southwest parts of Jackson County, has been vacant since May when then Senator Greg Razer (D) accepted Governor Mike Parson’s appointment to the State Tax Commission, a three-member group which oversees county assessors throughout the state.

The Democratic candidate will be decided in the primary elections. The winner will run against the Republican candidate Joey LaSalle.

In the August 6 primary, Democrat voters will select from among two candidates, Pat Contreras and Patty Lewis.

Pat Contreras (D)

Pat Contreras  was born in Kansas City and currently serves as Vice President of Business Development for McCownGordon Construction. He was a former commissioned foreign service officer for the U.S. State Department, serving in Pakistan and Mexico, during the administrations of Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

Contrera’s campaign is built on his global perspective as a former U.S. diplomat along with his business leadership in Kansas City.

“I’m a builder, and builders bring businesses to life,” said Contreras. “At a time when Kansas City is about to become a global platform, what a time to invest in the here and now, make this a region where people will feel welcome and want to live and work, with workforce training, affordable housing and funding for education and transportation.”

In 2016, Contreras ran unsuccessfully for Missouri Treasurer. During that time, he visited nearly all 114 state counties. He believes diplomacy and cultural skills, such as conflict resolution and negotiation, will build consensus and bridge understanding with people of different viewpoints, while also making sure Kansas City’s needs are known in Jefferson City.

Contreras says his construction industry experience – creating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and updating critical infrastructure– shows he is capable of similar results at the state level. 

If elected, Contreras said he would work for equitable access to reproductive rights, including contraception as basic healthcare. He wants Jefferson City lawmakers to understand the decimation of gun violence, particularly in the urban core. He would support background checks, bills to prohibit minors from open carrying, red flag laws and initiatives to close domestic violence loopholes. 

The Missouri State Senate has only had one member of Latino descent. If elected, Contreras says he will work to represent his culture and correct misunderstandings, building trust with other legislators and communities.

Patty Lewis (D)

Patty Lewis has been the current State House Representative for the 25th House District since 2021. She is a former ICU/critical care registered nurse and a healthcare executive who grew up in south Kansas City.

“I decided to run for the Senate for the same reason I ran for the House,” said Lewis. “I don’t like the direction the state is headed, and want to advocate better for Missourians.” 

Lewis says reproductive health is her number one issue, and will be a key issue this coming term. “IVF, birth control, you name it– the majority party will be looking to undo the will of the voters. We have to protect those rights.”

While in the House, Lewis sponsored Bill 889, prohibiting insurance companies from limiting mental health benefits–making Missouri the final state to adopt the Federal Mental Health Parity Act passed in 2008.

If elected to the Senate, Lewis promises to continue to support entrepreneurs, workplace development initiatives and public education as key components of economic growth. 

Lewis has served on the Truman Medical Center Foundation Board, Climate Action KC policy committee, the Greater Kansas City Women’s Political Caucus, Uplift Organization, and Seton Center Christmas Sharing.

Moms Demand Action designated Lewis with Gun Sense Candidate distinction for her record in the house sponsoring and supporting gun measures. In 2023 she sponsored a bill called Donna’s Law, which would create a voluntary self-registry list for people who do not wish to be sold firearms, an effort to reduce gun violence among those with mental health struggles. 

“Donna’s Law was not to be, but I could pick up this effort on day one if elected to the Senate.”

The winner of the primary will go on to face Republican Joey LaSalle in November. LaSalle is a native of Excelsior Springs and executive at a healthcare IT management consulting firm.

The winner of the general election will take office in January 2025.