Right to Work emerges as key issue.
On Nov. 3, NFIB/Missouri joined with the Cole County Republican Central Committee, the Associated Industries of Missouri and the Missouri Farm Bureau to host the Central Missouri Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Forum.
Sen. Mike Kehoe moderated the debate, and candidates John Brunner, Bob Dixon, Eric Greitens, Catherine Hanaway and Peter Kinder participated. This was the first time all five candidates faced off during the campaign for the 2016 gubernatorial election.
The debate centered around economic issues. Transportation, healthcare, broadband access in rural areas, and small business creation and retention were all covered as well. But one issue emerged above the rest: Right to Work.
“It is very clear that this election is about Right to Work in Missouri,” says Brad Jones, NFIB’s Missouri state director. “All of the candidates pledged that one of the first things they would sign as governor would be Right to Work legislation. I also believe that each of them hold entrepreneurs in high esteem. They understand how hard it is to run a small business, and I believe they will all put policies in place that support our Main Street companies.”
Overall, Jones says he thought the candidates did a good job and brought their different life experiences to the table—some including tenure in the legislature and others their business careers—when approaching the subjects of discussion.
“All of them had a moment or moments where they shined,” Jones says.
Additional coverage: Kansas City Star: Missouri GOP gubernatorial hopefuls debate
