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Hawley holds rally in Poplar Bluff with KC Chiefs kicker
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — The 2024 election came to Poplar Bluff this week as Republican Josh Hawley made a stop at the high school with Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker Thursday evening, and Democrat State Rep. Crystal Quade has a planned visit Saturday on her campaign for governor of Missouri. Hawley’s rally included an appearance on Fox News’ Laura Ingraham show filmed live on location.
Hawley is running for senate, while Quade is running for governor.
While Southeast Missouri is certainly no swing district, both sides of the aisle struggle to connect with independent and undecided voters, according to the 538 poll data aggregator.
Furthermore, local voters feel SEMO is often neglected on the campaign trail. Freddie Leroux, a resident of Doniphan, was pleased Hawley stopped in the region.
“Sometimes we get left out down here,” he said.
Leroux felt that politicians tend to focus only on large cities like Saint Louis.
“We matter just as much as them,” he added.
New Madrid resident Austin Eddy agreed, “I think it’s great for the people here.”
He said candidates will often neglect areas like Southeast Missouri and engage elsewhere.
“For a long time this area hasn’t been visited or getting attention,” Eddy remarked.
He said this appeared to be changing. Macie Winkler, a senior at Poplar Bluff High School and first-time voter, came to the rally to find out more about Hawley’s policies.
“I’m just here to learn,” she added.
Regarding his appearance in Poplar Bluff, Winkler said, “I’m really surprised he’s here. We don’t get a lot of recognition down here.”
PBHS junior Ryland Fisher, while ineligible to vote this year, was glad to see the region get some attention.
“It’s pretty exciting,” he added.
Hawley said, “Every vote is going to matter in this election and this is a critical, critical region for us. This is the area that put us over the top in 2018. There’s no more important place in the state than right here.”
Quade echoed the sentiment of many of the attendees at Hawley’s rally.
“For far too long, places like Butler County have been overlooked by politicians in Jefferson City. We’ve had governor after governor in this state who have put big special interests ahead of the concerns of everyday Missourians,” she asserted.
Attracting
independent voters
As political polarization mounts, both sides of the aisle are seeking to woo independent voters. In heavily Republican Missouri, Quade is attempting to attract those who are tired of the status quo.
“I would ask independent voters — are you better off than you were 20 years ago? Because that’s when our state became controlled by politicians in a super-majority party that have neglected the concerns of everyday Missourians,” she stated.
Hawley, on the other hand, said the national Democratic agenda was unpalatable to most Americans, especially independents.
“Do you want four more years of this? My opponent wants to continue to shut down American energy, take away gas and diesel trucks. He wants to open up the border. He wants to give illegal immigrants Social Security and Medicare. That’s insane,” he clarified.
Hawley further contended most voters are not as polarized as some claim.
“I think most people want some common sense,” Hawley affirmed.
Quade said, “I think so much of the polarization that we hear about is about the mess in Washington.”
She hopes to find common ground among all voters.
“There is so much that Missourians agree on,” Quade expressed.
According to Pew Research, only 66% of the eligible voting public turned out to vote in the 2020 presidential election, despite it being one of the stronger years for participation. Both Quade and Hawley are hoping to bring these voters back into the booth.
“I understand how frustrating it feels — the status quo isn’t working for folks and it feels like the problems that never seem to get fixed,” Quade related. “The status quo isn’t working for me and my family either. That’s why I’m running to bring something new.”
Hawley said to voters who have dropped out, “We need your help. This election’s about saving our country. We can’t go on like this ... It is critical right now that patriots show up and vote.”
Both candidates said the partisan divide has the possibility of being bridged.
“I think you’ve got to run on an agenda that delivers for Missouri. If you look at my opponent’s agenda, it’s the opposite.” Hawley said.
Quade hopes to work with both sides if elected to office, “It doesn’t matter who gets the credit- it’s about finding good ideas wherever we can to make life better for Missouri families.”