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10 Questions with: Stephanie Isaacson (D), HD14

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Isaacson

In the Northland of Kansas City lies a toss up race to replace Rep. Ron Schieber. This race was held not too long ago by a Democrat – Rep. Jason Grill. Democrat Stephanie Isaacson and Republican Kevin Corlew will square off on November 4. The questions asked to the candidates were identical and the answers are unedited.

 

The Missouri Times: You’re in an extremely close race. Does a race this close come down to raising/spending more than your opponent?

I think that this race will come down to meaningful voter contact.  Money does help with the ability to contact voters, but I am focusing on door to door contact and having great conversations about the needs of my District and listening to voters I get to talk to.

 

TMT: What makes you the most qualified candidate to represent your district in the House?

I am a real business owner, with over 50 employees, I know what it’s like to sign the front and the back of a paycheck.  Having my experience as a business owner and creating over 50 jobs and growing my business for the past 7 years has provided me with skills and qualifications the legislature needs. This includes knowing how to balance growth, budgets, and making payroll. These skills and my experience definitely make me the most qualified candidate. I keep hearing job creation, retaining and growing jobs when I talk with voters.

 

TMT: You’ve knocked a lot of doors. What’s the issue you’re hearing about most from the voters?

It’s been such a great experience to hear from each voter.  I have been knocking on doors since April 2nd and have made it through my District twice and getting ready to do a third pass. The first question people ask me is what my business is, and they are so interested to know my business story, how I started, about my education, then they always want to talk about economic concerns, how I will help create jobs and how I can help protect and improve our school districts.

 

TMT; Where are the areas you and your opponent disagree that you think the voters should know about?

I think the most important thing that voters need to know is that I am a real business owner. My opponent often talks about knowing small business, but I live the struggles everyday. I have an intimate knowledge of these issues in regard to creating jobs, making tough decisions, and what small businesses need to help create jobs and provide an economic impact to the community.

 

TMT: What can we expect from your campaign between now and Election Day?

Meaningful voter contact is my priority.  Getting out on the doors every day to have great conversations about what voters are concerned about.

 

TMT: What’s the first piece of legislation you plan to file if you’re elected?

One of the things that I am most excited about is looking at job creation and how to fire up hiring in our state through a hiring incentive program.

 

TMT: How will you make a unique impact as just one member of a large caucus?

I think having another female voice at the Capital is important. I’m a younger woman, growing my small business. I love what the women in the US Senate do, where they come together regularly to find solutions in a truly bi-partisan way. I’d love to do something like that in Jefferson City.

 

TMT: What are some areas of public policy that you believe have a bipartisan consensus?

The issues that are important to Missourians SHOULD be bipartisan: Job creation, providing quality education for our kids, making sure seniors have a safe, secure retirement. Jefferson City is too polarized and focused on the wrong things (the 72-hour abortion ban does nothing to create jobs).

 

TMT: What is different in this year’s campaign from campaigns you’ve been involved in in the past?

Letting voters know that I don’t have an agenda, except for theirs.  I plan to keep an open door policy so voters  know that they can come talk to me and voice their concerns. I have done a few coffee with the candidates where voters can come sit with me and express their issues and plan to continue to listen to voters after I get elected.

 

TMT: What’s the single most important legislative issue you think you’ll have to deal with in the coming year?

I think that ethics reform is going to be high on the priority list for this legislative year.