Three seeking GOP nomination for District 27 Senate

Three Republican candidates are facing off for the party's nomination for Missouri’s District 27 Senate seat currently held by Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder who is running for lieutenant governor.

District 148 Rep. Jamie Burger, of Benton is leaving the House of Representatives after two terms to try to land a seat in the Senate. Burger was elected to the position in 2020, defeating Will Perry in the Republican primary and winning the next two general elections in which he ran unopposed.

Jacob Turner of Jackson is entering his second race for public office after being defeated by incumbent Jason Smith in the 2022 Republican primary for Missouri’s 8th Congressional District. A native of Doniphan, Turner is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, a former first responder and owns and operates a small business in Jackson.

District 144 Rep. Chris Dinkins of Lesterville was elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 and is currently serving her fourth and final term. She defeated Democrat Jim Scaggs in 2018 before winning the next three general elections while running unopposed.

The Southeast Missourian sent questionnaires to each candidate running in a contested race in order to inform voters on each candidate’s plans for office ahead of the Aug. 6 primary election. Candidates were asked to answer each question in 100 or fewer words. Any answer significantly longer than 100 words has been edited for brevity. Candidate responses are presented as written by the candidate and have only been edited for spelling and grammatical errors.

Why are you running for Senate?

Burger: Our state, more than ever, needs experienced leaders to address the "challengers" both short and long-term. We are in a war with the federal government over the border, fighting to protect our fundamental liberties, the Second Amendment and the sanctity of life and fighting woke directives that impact almost every business and government institution. It is a fight that I feel very confident I can impact as a state senator.

Dinkins: I’m running for Senate to protect our conservative values, support small businesses and ensure Missouri families thrive. I am a lifelong conservative Republican and small business owner with the ability to make impactful changes. I am the only candidate endorsed by Missouri Right to Life, the only candidate to sponsor a complete ban on the foreign ownership of Missouri land, the only candidate to vote against the gas tax and the only candidate to endorse President Trump in 2016, 2020 and 2024.

Turner: I am running because business as usual isn't working. The status quo in recent years has given us the highest tax increase in Missouri history, cost hikes on our electric bills to provide subsidies for green energy, illegals draining Missouri resources, our farmland sold to foreign adversaries and policies that have led to the rise in violent crime. I served our country as a U.S. Marine during the war and returned home to serve our district as a first responder. I refuse to stand by and watch our citizens betrayed by the politicians who have chosen to serve the lobbyists and special interests over their constituents.

As a state senator, what would your top legislative priority be?

Burger: Addressing the wave of illegal immigration, including deporting illegals who commit crimes, human trafficking and the dumping of fentanyl in our communities by the Chinese communist party. Unfortunately, we cannot rely on the federal government to protect our communities. Therefore, we must stand up and take responsibility for the areas failing our families, communities and the great state of Missouri.

Dinkins: Reducing taxes for Missouri families and businesses to stimulate economic growth and create jobs. I sponsored the strongest anti-illegal immigration law in the country and a complete ban on foreign ownership of land.

Turner: I am the law and order candidate in this race. My top priority as the next state senator will be to reduce violent crime and theft in our district. The rise in violent crime in our district is significantly impacting our community.

Name one state department that is underfunded and one that is overfunded.

Burger: Some departments are overfunded due to their inefficiency and failure to take advantage of technology. These departments lack the motivation to improve their efficiency. Addressing these inefficiencies and lack of motivation is essential for these departments to ensure that resources are being used effectively and that the department is operating at its full potential. This will be addressed in the next session.

Dinkins: The Department of Public Safety is underfunded and needs additional resources to address drugs, illegal immigration, and human trafficking. The Department of Revenue is overfunded and inefficient. An audit done by the legislature found the Department of Revenue had significant waste and we worked to address it. I support auditing every state department to make sure taxpayer dollars are not being wasted.

Turner: The Department of Secondary Education is overfunded. More money should go to the teachers, not to the bureaucracy. We should invest more in the Department of Corrections. A shortage of beds in our prison facilities should never be an excuse to release a violent criminal early.

What is the most significant challenge the state faces at the moment?

Burger: The federal government refuses to cooperate on illegal immigration. The failure to manage the border resulted in over 3,000 fentanyl deaths last year, a rise in human trafficking, and an estimated 100,000 illegals that are committing crimes. These illegal immigrants are competing for critical resources with the poorest Missourians and have no incentive to become American citizens.

Dinkins: The onslaught of illegal immigration has brought drugs, crime and increased human trafficking into our state. We have more than 60,000 illegals in our state. Deport them now!

Turner: The biggest challenge we face at this time is the rise in violent crime and the influx of illegal immigrants due to the weak border policy of the Biden Administration. Currently, Missouri ranks number four in the United States for human trafficking. We need strong policymakers to bring solutions to these issues, and, in District 27, I am the Senate candidate who will get it done.

Gun violence is an increasingly cited concern among residents. What actions might legislators take to address the issue?

Burger: It is important to acknowledge that the term “gun violence” has become a euphemism that somehow puts the blame on guns rather than the criminals using them! Prosecutors and judges need to require bonding and/or harsh sentences for criminals who are repeat offenders. Defunding the police is not an option! Law enforcement officers are essential to protect our families and communities. I voted to end sanctuary cities to root out illegals committing crimes; without our law enforcement, an atmosphere of lawlessness that feeds criminal activity with guns will remain.

Dinkins: Legislators should focus on mental health support and ensuring responsible gun ownership, rather than infringing on Second Amendment rights. Stop catch-and-release of violent offenders and fully fund law enforcement. State-sponsored grants to support local law enforcement and utilize the highway patrol to increase patrol in high-crime areas at high-crime times.

Turner: Most gun-related crimes in our district come from repeat offenders, and the answer to violent crime recidivism is proper sentencing. Restricting the gun rights of law-abiding citizens isn't the answer. Pushing legislation to hold violent criminals accountable and off the streets is the solution, which I will do.

Law enforcement salaries are often cited as a factor in recruiting and retaining officers. Can/should the state help local governmental bodies boost officer salaries/benefits?

Burger: It is not just about the money. It is hard to get individuals to want to be in law enforcement when they watch on the nightly news politicians putting targets on their backs and attacking them. Being a former county commissioner, I understand the pressure on local governments. However, if governments divert money from law enforcement and expect the state government to save them — it will not work. I would like to see the state invest in partnerships on training, better-qualified officers and providing backup and assistance to local agencies when needed. Seeking out grants for equipment and other one-time needs would access valuable resources.

Dinkins: Yes, the state should assist local governments in boosting law enforcement salaries and benefits to ensure we attract and retain the best officers, which is crucial for public safety.

Turner: All local municipalities are financially responsible for their law enforcement funding and salaries. Local municipalities must prioritize their police and first responders, keeping the experience here local to aid in making our communities safe again. Our brave deserve competitive wages and benefits, and, at this time, we are missing the mark. Our community's safety should be the top priority in our local budget.

Changes to the state’s constitution require 50% plus 1 vote. Should that threshold be higher? If so, what should be the requirement to change the constitution?

Burger: I have supported raising the threshold. However, other smart ideas should be considered. Making sure that the language fairly and accurately describes the measure is critical. Nothing requiring funding that does not include the revenue source should be on the ballot. People support all kinds of things when it is not going to raise a tax or think about the cost of everything. We must stop underfunded mandates. We should also look at restricting out-of-state funding to keep left-coast billionaires from attempting to buy changes in our constitution.

Dinkins: Yes, changing the state constitution is significant and should require a higher threshold, such as a 60% majority, to ensure widespread support for such important changes.

Turner: As it stands now, our major cities, such as St. Louis and Kansas City, have the ability to override the voice of Southeast Missourians with their preferred amendments to the Missouri Constitution. I will push for initiative petition reform of Concurrent Majority Ratification, which consists of 50% plus 1 and five of the eight congressional districts, passing the measure to ensure equal representation for all Missourians.

Southeast Missouri is not seeing major highway improvements in the region. Better access to four-lane roadways would help the region economically. What can our region’s lawmakers do to boost highway funding for the region

Burger: I have stated many times that infrastructure creates a stronger economy. In the state legislature, I supported a funding measure for highway improvements with a significant portion paid for by out-of-state drivers to fund major construction, including funding for rural county roads, widening I-70, improving I-55 and I-44 and creating four lanes on Highway 67. Recently, we cut taxes and the budget by over a billion dollars and were able to fund 100 million dollars in transportation construction just for rural roads. I believe the best way to boost our region is to work cooperatively and to pressure spending to create windfalls that we can utilize for one-time projects.

Dinkins: Lawmakers should advocate for equitable distribution of state transportation funds instead of allowing all our tax dollars to go to Kansas City and St. Louis.

Turner: As the next state senator, I will advocate for our district’s desire to improve our roadways and work with Missouri Department of Transportation to ensure that our area’s roadways are considered a priority for improvement.