What you n eed to know: Missouri Senate Race – District 7

By Sara Wiercinski

Republican Joey LaSalle and Democrat Patty Lewis face off for the senate seat vacated in May when Greg Razer left to accept a six-year appointment to the State Tax Commission from Governor Mike Parson. The district represents the western and southwestern parts of Kansas City and most of the City of Grandview.

Joey LaSalle

Joey LaSalle owns a healthcare consulting firm and describes himself as “Not a politician at all. I’m a frustrated resident.” Originally from Excelsior Springs, MO, LaSalle has lived in Kansas City for 17 years, and now resides near the Plaza with his fiance and dog. He describes several personal encounters with crime–an attempted home invasion followed by his car being broken into on multiple occasions. His brother’s challenge to “Do something about it!” became LaSalle’s motivation to run for office.

“These issues sit outside Democrat or Republican. It’s plain and simple – KC and the metro is an economic and cultural hub that is underrepresented in Jefferson City. We deserve a lot more.”

LaSalle attended the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he double-majored in finance in real estate. He spent two decades at Cerner where he managed the finance portions of hospital projects.

“I think I can go down there and express what KC and the district needs, in a way that is speaking to like-minded people. I will have the perspective of a major-city Republican, and am prepared to work with the party supermajority.”

LaSalle summarizes his priorities as hard work, good jobs, less taxes, smaller government and strict on crime.

If elected, LaSalle plans on problem-solving with the Jackson County prosecuting attorney to ensure laws are tightened so law enforcement can more effectively manage crime. For juvenile offenders, LaSalle would want to see more consequences that go beyond mentor programs, along with ramifications for parents when necessary.

LaSalle self-describes as a “finance geek,” and “a project manager and accomplisher.”

“I am a small business owner. It’s hard. You want to make sure that all your folks get paid, insurance gets paid, you have to pay taxes, and usually there’s not much left. All other expenses are up.” LaSalle wants to encourage small businesses with initial tax incentives combined with public/private resources like grants and accelerator programs.

“We need stronger representation for KC and District 7 in Missouri. No one in this district has won as a Republican in so long. That’s something. My life lessons and background have taken me there, and I want to make this district better.”

Patty Lewis

Patty Lewis is in her second two-year term representing District 25 in the Missouri House.

“I first ran for office for the same reason I became a nurse, to help people,” said Lewis. “I believe in service.”

Lewis says her priorities, what she hears from constituents, are healthcare–making it affordable and also extending to reproductive healthcare and access to mental health resources– along with gun violence prevention and equal rights for marginalized communities including minorities, LGBTQ and workers.

“District 7 is where it’s at. We are growing. Lots of businesses want to move here.” Lewis says that if elected, she would work to make the area friendly to entrepreneurs and businesses.

“Many businesses want to come to a welcoming state,” said Lewis. “One thing that does not attract them? The attacks on LGBTQ folks, like what we heard on the Senate floor.”

Lewis wants public education to be a higher priority in the state budget. “It’s unfortunate that we are ranked near the bottom for teacher pay and school funding. A good strong public education system keeps families here in our community vs. moving across state lines or out of the area.”

Lewis is a former ICU/critical care registered nurse and healthcare executive, and readily connects her healthcare background to another priority issue, gun violence prevention.

“Firearms are still the leading cause of death among children and teens,” said Lewis.

After the shooting at the Super Bowl Parade on February 14, 2024, Lewis and colleagues filed a joint resolution to allow local municipalities and counties to adopt their own firearm ordinances. It failed.

“Right now, Kansas City is at mercy of the state who wants to do nothing,” she says. “The state gun priorities – like exempting firearms and ammunition from sales tax or arming school teachers – those are not true solutions to address the violence that is happening.”

Lewis grew up in south Kansas City and now lives in the south Plaza area with her husband.

“I’m the only candidate in this race who has been elected and served in Jefferson City. I know what’s like there, and have relationships on both sides of the aisle and in both chambers to get things done.”