Editor’s note: The following responses appeared in the Oct. 10, Oct. 17 and Oct. 24 print editions of The Call. Some responses may have been edited for grammar and shortened due to print space constraints. Continue to check callnewspapers.com for more web-exclusive content from the candidates.
Incumbent Rep. Jim Murphy, R-Oakville, is being challenged again by Kyle Kerns for the 94th District seat in the Missouri House of Representatives
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Kerns previously challenged Murphy for the seat in the 2022 midterms.
Kerns, 45, is a certified public accountant and chief financial officer of Cultivation Capital LLC, a venture capital firm.
When previously asked in 2022 why he sought office, Kerns said, “I believe representatives should actually listen to the people and focus on serving the public. Lately, it seems our representatives in Missouri have gone so far to the extreme that no one is listening to the vast majority of people who just want to live their lives and improve their quality of life. I want to work to be a voice for these people who feel left out of the conversation.”
Murphy, 73, is the retired owner of Shoppers Rule Inc. He is married to Maryellen and together they have three adult children.
Murphy was first elected to office in 2018.
When asked why he is seeking reelection for this fourth term in the Missouri House, Murphy said, “To continue to work for the citizens of the 94th District.”
The candidates gave the following responses to The Call’s candidate questionnaire:
What do you perceive to be the 94th District’s greatest challenges? How will you address these challenges?
Kerns: “When I speak with residents of the district, the most common sentiment is that representatives prioritize their own interests over those of the people they serve. This creates a sense of disconnection, where voters feel unheard and ignored. Compounding this issue is a decreased number of businesses in the area, which limits opportunities and growth. I am committed to actively listening to the concerns of the community and addressing their needs, rather than catering solely to the loudest and most extreme voices.”
Murphy: “The No. 1 issue I hear from my constituents is the cost of living and high taxes. I have worked hard to curb state spending so not to add to the high inflation rate. For the first time in history, we passed a budget that was three billion dollars less than the year before. We removed the state income tax from Social Security and froze property assessments for seniors. I also spearheaded the refund of remote workers city earnings tax. Lowering taxes and controlling spending will continue to be a priority.”
What is your position on abortion?
Kerns: “Missouri’s current law is too extreme and out of touch with its citizens, offering no exceptions for rape, incest,or health of the woman. I am in favor of Constitutional Amendment 3 because women deserve the right to make their own healthcare decisions.”
Murphy: “I believe in the sanctity of life of both the mother and child.”
What is your position on the death penalty?
Kerns: “Missouri should abolish the death penalty. Studies show it doesn’t deter crime, costs more than alternatives, and is frequently flawed and inconsistently applied.”
Murphy: “I am not in favor of the death penalty even though certain crimes are so heinous it would be a just sentence.”
Are changes needed to the law allowing Missouri citizens to carry concealed weapons? If so, why? If not, why not?
Kerns: “We should look not just at concealed carry laws but should take a holistic look at all gun laws to keep guns out of the hands of people whose only intent is to harm others while also working to protect law-abiding owners’ rights.”
Murphy: “CCW laws in Missouri have been effective and do not need to be changed. Illegally obtained guns continue to be a problem and I have sponsored legislation that would take these guns off the street. I support strengthening the laws regarding the use of illegally obtained firearms.”
What will you do to improve Missouri’s economy?
Kerns: “I would start with improved funding of our educational system—from the preK-12 system all the way through community colleges, trade schools, and traditional universities. A strong educational system ensures we have entrepreneurs and skilled workers who want to stay in the area to make their careers. Then, I would encourage the development of programs that provide support to businesses themselves to start or stay in the area.”
Murphy: “Work force development is the key to improving our state’s economy. New business start-ups make up 80% of our region’s job growth. We have made great strides in the legislature to remove bureaucratic road blocks and make it easier to start a new business. I have and will continue to support reducing unnecessary regulations that stand in the way of economic development.”
Should police departments be defunded?
Kerns: “No. Police departments play a vital role in our community and state. Rather than defunding them, we should look at ways to help them meet the increasing needs of all residents. This includes competitive pay and additional funding for mental health crisis and de-escalation training.”
Murphy: “Today our police who put their lives on the line each and every day to protect us are under attack by the liberal left. Officers continue to be attacked, hurt and killed at an alarming rate. Meanwhile crime continues to rise and spill over from the inner city to our community. The liberal plan to cut funding and undermining confidence in our officers is despicable and will reduce the amount of protection our community deserves. I stand with our police and do not support efforts to defund and disarm them.”
What do you think of the leadership of Gov. Mike Parson?
Kerns: “I have been disappointed in several of the decisions Gov. Parson has made, including his attack on and threat to prosecute a reporter who found personal private information was available through the state’s public website. Leaders should recognize when they are in the wrong and be willing to apologize. Gov . Parson has never done that. I am also disappointed in the governor’s inconsistent use of his clemency power, as he commuted the sentences of multiple friends but yet recently let stand the death sentence of Marcellus Williams when there were questions about his guilt.”
Murphy: “Having worked with Mike Parson over the last six years, I have great respect for his sincere desire to move Missouri forward. His priorities of workforce development, education and infrastructure are the right ones for moving Missouri forward. He came from humble beginnings and truly understands the needs of our citizens.”
With fewer than 50% of rural Missourians having access to high-speed internet service, should Missouri’s newspapers continue to be the medium in which all public notices required by law are published and distributed in print to provide due process to those persons affected by the public notices?
Kerns: “Newspapers should be one of multiple ways in which public notice requirements are met. While newspapers are a vital way in which Missourians receive access to the information, we must balance that with the knowledge that it is no longer the only way they receive access.”
Murphy: “A bill to discontinue public notices in newspapers was introduced in the Government Efficiency and Downsizing Committee, that I chair. Testimony made it clear that this is not the time to abandon print notices. The most compelling argument was that published notices are brought to the public’s attention while the public would have to seek out notices posted on a web site.”
What changes should Missouri make to its health care system?
Kerns: “We must ensure the Department of Social Services is adequately staffed to meet the needs of all Missourians promptly. We should also focus on mandating price transparency across all healthcare services and expanding resources for senior citizens, ensuring they have access to the care they need as they age. Additionally, we must implement programs at the medical school level to increase the number of students enrolled in Missouri and incentivize those students to stay in Missouri when then become licensed doctors.”
Murphy: “Forty-two percent of our state budget is spent on social services, mental health, and health and senior services. This amount is increasing with the passing of Medicaid expansion. As a state we continue to look for efficiencies that will lower the cost of health care but driving down the cost of healthcare is very difficult at state level.”