JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – One week out from the June special election for Senate District 17, and it’s all hands on deck for both parties.
State representatives Kevin Corlew (R) and Lauren Arthur (D) both are seeking the seat and with just days until the special election for the Northland seat takes place, they’ve been hitting the sidewalks hard to go door to door to spread their messages.
In the past month, Republican senators have pumped more than $250,000 into the Missouri Senate Campaign Committee.
Arthur has been handily raising money since announcing her campaign, with the last report, eight days out from the election, showing her with a total of $374, 976.49 before spending $343,304.19.
Corlew’s report showed $142,647.41 from the combined cash on hand and recent monetary receipts, with expenditures amounting to $99,784.62.
Both candidates were present in the community the past weekend, knocking doors and attending Memorial Day events.
This #MemorialDay, join me in honoring the men & women of our military who sacrificed everything to guarantee the freedoms we enjoy today.https://t.co/SubLyIhLFb
— Kevin Corlew (@KevinCorlew) May 28, 2018
Arthur has picked up several endorsements, including that of the Missouri AFL-CIO and the Kansas City Star.
Corlew received endorsements from KCBizPAC, a partnership between the Kansas City Chamber and the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City.
Proud to be endorsed by KCBizPAC, a partnership of @kcchamber & the Civic Council of Greater #KC, in the #VoteJune5 Special Election. As a State Senator in #MoSen17, I’ll continue to support legislation that improves the economy of the #KansasCity area. #Northland #MoLeg pic.twitter.com/v9L38UumQX
— Kevin Corlew (@KevinCorlew) May 29, 2018
Following the announcement from Gov. Eric Greitens stating his intent resign on Friday, both candidates released statements of their own on social media.
I am relieved that Eric Greitens resigned. He should have done so back in January when his misconduct became public. He owes Missourians an apology for dragging our state through this ordeal. We will move forward, but our leaders must do more to rebuild public trust. #moleg
— Lauren Arthur (@RepLaurenArthur) May 29, 2018
Statment on Greitens’ resignation announcement. #MoLeg #MoSen17 #Northland pic.twitter.com/TwFkMddTr4
— Kevin Corlew (@KevinCorlew) May 29, 2018
Both candidates have taken part in several candidate forums, including a Facebook Live with the Kansas City Star and another forum sponsored by KCUR and the League of Women Voters.
The special election gets underway on Tuesday, June 5.
Benjamin Peters was a reporter for The Missouri Times and Missouri Times Magazine and also produced the #MoLeg Podcast. He joined The Missouri Times in 2016 after working as a sports editor and TV news producer in mid-Missouri. Benjamin is a graduate of Missouri State University in Springfield.