Voters connect with candidates at chambers of commerce meet and greet

With hundreds of candidates running for party nominations ahead of Missouri’s Tuesday, Aug. 6, primary elections, it can be difficult for voters to interact with the people who could represent them. This is where political forums, rallies and other events come into play.

A joint effort between the Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City Area chambers of commerce recently brought almost 30 candidate campaigns to the Buckner-Ragsdale Event Center at 132 Main St. in Cape Girardeau to meet and mingle with potential voters.

Rob Gilligan, president and chief executive officer of the Cape Girardeau chamber, said the Tuesday, July 23, event was designed to keep chamber members informed of the different races due to the large number of candidates running for various offices.

“One of the things that our members have told us, and similarly what I hear from our peers at other chambers, is that the chamber can help them both advocate for business-related issues an also help connect them with leaders so that they can advocate on their own behalf,” he said.

Candidates running for local, state and federal offices were emailed and asked to participate. In addition to voters getting to know the people on their ballots, it also gave candidates opportunities to make their pitch to voters.

“I’ve been to the forums, I’ve been to things like that, but this is the first event in several years I think we’ve had where they invited in all the candidates in the area’s races,” state Rep. John Voss of Cape Girardeau, who is running for reelection in District 147, said.

Gilligan said it was the first event he had been in charge of where, instead of a forum with candidates from a specific race, candidates from numerous races were invited.

The meet and greet was free to attend for members of any of the three chambers. Once there, they could ask the candidates about their policies and campaigns. Most candidates also had various pamphlets, flyers, stickers, buttons and other information and paraphernalia available.

“These events are so helpful for the voters and the public,” U.S. House candidate Randi McCallian said. “It’s sometimes really hard for candidates to get in front of people without that event creation, so it is really awesome … when something like this is hosted.”

Hundreds of chamber members visited the event center for the meet and greet. Tameka Randle, a Cape Girardeau City Council member, attended to support friends and talk with candidates. She said the event was a good opportunity for interested voters.

“They get to ask information, they get to listen, they can get clarity, and a lot of candidates are here today so that's really a good thing,” Randle said.

Around half a dozen Democrats and some 20 Republicans running for office either attended the event themselves or had representatives on hand to meet with voters.