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Unopposed Kip Kendrick continues to canvass

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Kip Kendrick

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Replacing Rep. Chris Kelly in the 45th District will be Kip Kendrick, a young Democrat who is always laughing and very passionate about Columbia’s issues. Not having to run a traditional campaign against a Republican opponents has opened Kendrick up to being able to learn the district’s legislative priorities, as opposed to setting priorities himself in order to get votes.

“I’m still campaigning and learning the issues, probably more so than if I were running a tough campaign because I am taking that time every day to have meetings to learn what issues are important [to Columbians] and to figure out what legislative priorities I want to set,” Kendrick told the Missouri Times.

In addition to listening sessions with business leaders, Kendrick is still canvassing and has seen people be more willing to engage now that he is not asking for yard sign locations or support because of his lack of opposition.

“It’s important to get out there and make the connections so that people know who is going to represent them and also I’ve had more candid responses from people now that I’m not asking anything from them,” Kendrick said. “It breaks down this barrier.”

Kendrick with a potential voter
Kendrick with a potential voter

Kendrick has worked in social services and higher education, as well as on a city commission in Columbia. He’s served as president of his neighborhood association for 7 years, as well as assisting on local campaigns.

Legislatively, Kendrick hopes to see Medicaid expansion brought up this next session.

“We’re sending our tax dollars to other states that have expanded Medicaid and people are missing out,” he said.

Despite Medicaid being a somewhat partisan issue, Kendrick applauds Rep. Kelly as a great mentor for bipartisanship. Kendrick shadowed Kelly several times over this last session.

“It is important for a Democrat in a superminority to learn to work well across the aisle,” Kendrick said.

Kendrick in high school
Kendrick in high school

Outside of his budding political career, Kendrick enjoys traveling. He spent 6 months in Australia doing volunteer work during his first year of college. He says Batman may be his favorite superhero because of his mortality and Harry S. Truman may be the president he admires most because of Truman’s Missouri roots and national accomplishments. Kendrick attended high school in Monroe City – near Hannibal – where he played offensive center and defensive lineman. He laughs at how much smaller he is today as opposed to in high school.

Kendrick plans to continue to canvass and meet more and more community leaders in the  45th through the election to find out how he can best serve the district in Jefferson City.

Featured Image: Kendrick with Rep. Chris Kelly over this past session.