Hawley, Kunce face off for Missouri U.S. Senate seat
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After a dramatic campaign season, Americans are taking to the polls to vote for their next state and national representatives. In Missouri, specifically, one of the more high-profile races on this election's ballot is between incumbent U.S. Missouri Senator Josh Hawley and Democrat opponent Lucas Kunce.
Kunce and Hawley have each been very outspoken opponents of each other throughout their campaigns, and on Thursday, Oct. 31, their differences truly came to light at the only live debate between the two candidates.
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During the debate, both prospective senators criticized the other and addressed topics that have been widely contested among Americans, specifically Missourians. However, many of those perspectives were blanked under a slew of accusations, insults, and redirection.
So, here are a few key things to know about both Missouri senate candidates, Hawley and Kunce, and what they stand for before you head to the ballot box on election day:
Democratic Candidate
Lucas Kunce
Jefferson City native Lucas Kunce is a Marine Corps veteran who attended Yale University and the University of Missouri-Columbia Law School. He served in Iraq during the War on Terror and was on active duty for 13 years.
Kunce was on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon where he worked with the National Security Council, State Department, Department of Homeland Security, FBI CIA and many other agencies. After being hired at the Pentagon, Kunce wrote on his campaign website , "I spent the next three years taking part in, building, or leading interagency arms control delegations and advocating for our country's national security in intense negotiations. I had the opportunity to draft our country's policy and deliver it internationally, building allied coalitions at NATO and the OSCE."
Views:
Reproductive Health
Pro-choice stance — supports Amendment 3
Wants to vote to codify Roe v. Wade if elected in U.S. Senate
Hopes to ensure access to IVF in U.S. by requiring health insurance providers to cover treatments
Illegal Immigration
Wants to fund Border Patrol to stop fentanyl crisis in U.S.
Supports funding more judges to process cases
Russia-Ukraine
Isn't opposed to providing funding to Ukraine to keep American soldiers out of war on European soil
Israel-Hamas
Supports Israel's defense against Hamas but openly speaks against the killing of civilians in Gaza
Supports cease-fire agreement to bring hostages home and protect Gaza civilians
Gun Control
Supports Second Amendment
Believes there should be more background checks, age restrictions and gun safety training
Supports stricter penalties for gun-related crimes
Republican Candidate
Josh Hawley
Josh Hawley has served as the senator for Missouri since 2022 and was previously the state's attorney general. He grew up in Lexington, a small town in rural Lafayette County, and graduated from Stanford University and Yale Law School.
According to Hawley's campaign , the senator has been a "leading champion in Congress for working families." He has been an outspoken proponent for greater protections for kids online, has served as an attorney in many cases against the Supreme Court, and serves on the Senate Committees on the Judiciary, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Energy and Natural Resources, and Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
Lucas Kunce campaigns with Adam Kinzinger in Kansas City
Reproductive Health
Supports Missouri's abortion ban and the rights of the states to determine reproductive policies
Supported 2022 bill banning abortion in U.S. after 15 weeks, with the exception of rape, incest or mother's health
Supports national right to IVF access
Illegal Immigration
Introduced bill giving states federal authority to enforce immigration laws
Sponsored bill capping refugee admissions, limiting family-sponsored immigration, and ending diversity visa program
Russia-Ukraine
Does not support continued funding or congressional aid to Ukraine if Congress does pass a bill that compensates Missourians for their declining health problems after they were exposed to radioactive waste near St. Louis
Israel-Hamas
Supports Israel — believes it has a right to defend itself
Supports takedown of Hamas
Gun Control
Supports Second Amendment
Hasn't openly discussed implementing restrictions for guns
Who is leading the polls?
As of election eve, a poll from The Hill showed Hawley in the lead at 52.6% and Kunce at 44.5%. The results are based on 12 polls released between late January to late October.
Faith leaders on different sides of abortion rights in Missouri
In each of the 12 polls listed on the website, Hawley was declared the winner by more than 3 points.
