Local House members split on Violence Against Women Act
Bill passes House 286-138 despite concerns
Vicky Hartzler
House approves fiscal cliff bill UPDATED with Kansas, Missouri votes
Dems lead parade; Obama: “Everybody worked very hard on this…this law is just one step..the deficit is still too high”
You won't believe what they said in 2012
“This thing has been a bucking bronco ride.” — Todd Akin
Can status quo crowd find post-election compromise?
Call this week’s election a political mulligan — a new opportunity for divided, dysfunctional government to find a compromise on tax increases, …
Hartzler breezes to victory
U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler, a first-term Republican, easily defeated Democratic challenger Teresa Hensley in Missouri’s 4th Congressional District race on Tuesday.
Hartzler ahead in early voting
U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler, a first-term Republican, took an early lead this evening in her race against Democrat Teresa Hensley in Missouri’s 4th Congressional District.
In Missouri's 4th District, Hartzler-Hensley race reflects change
This isn’t where U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler wanted to be.
Local House members oppose funding bill
Kansas, Missouri Reps among most conservative in the nation
Here's to the eloquent women of the GOP
Some local Republican delegates think women are taking home the toastmaster’s trophy from the party’s national convention.
Democrats target Hartzler using Akin as hammer
Robo calls being made in Missouri’s 4th District
Todd Akin calls for help to save his Senate candidacy
Missouri remained in the center of the political universe for the fourth straight day Wednesday as U.S. Rep. Todd Akin struggled to …
Obama renews call for aid to halt teacher layoffs
Tight school budgets have meant fewer teachers, larger classes and shorter school years, according to a White House report that President Barack …
For the fourth time, Turk will face Cleaver
Republican Jacob Turk will face incumbent U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver — for the fourth time — in this November’s 5th Congressional District …
'Sequester' raises concerns about massive defense cuts
One year after Congress approved a controversial plan to extend the nation’s debt ceiling, Republicans are stepping up their campaign to repeal …
Missouri attorney general declines action against Cass County clerk
The Missouri attorney general’s office declined Wednesday to take action against Cass County Clerk Janet Burlingame. A county auditor’s report accused Burlingame of breaking the state’s nepotism law and of violating pay rules by giving election-duty bonuses to …
Hartzler proposes bill after Lake of the Ozarks issue
A Missouri Republican is proposing legislation that would allow states to reduce federal regulators’ authority
Farm bill disaster grows for GOP
Hartzler says taxpayer subsidies a matter of ‘security’ as ag bill stalls
Local lawmakers react to the immigration law ruling
Mixed decision earns qualified praise
Candidates claim it's the economy but press social issues
After a spring of arguing over such social issues as gay marriage and insurance coverage for women’s contraceptives, most Democrats and Republicans agreed last week that this fall’s election is still about the economy — stupid or not.
KRASKE: The second-hottest race in Mo-Kan this year is...
…Hartzler-Hensley in Missouri’s 4th Congressional District
Steve Kraske | Hartzler vs. Hensley will be a battle
To label Hartzler a solid favorite in Missouri’s 4th District would not be a stretch. And yet recent developments suggest Hensley has …
Blog Watch: Monday, May 7
The Kansas House sends a bill that would have allowed smoking in bars statewide back to committee and ShotSpotter is coming to Kansas City.
Hartzler still doubts Obama birth certificate
She declines to say whether she thinks the president is a U.S. citizen
Liberal watchdog group dings local Reps for family interests
CREW releases study claiming half of House members provide cash to relatives
Candidate's third time isn't a charm
Herschel Young — a man without a party? Or a man with too many? In little more than a year, he’s been …
Young in 4th district House race -- as Democrat
Cass Co. commissioner-in-limbo launches potential campaign against prosecutor who sought to remove him from office
Hartzler: No more military base closings
Congresswoman from Harrisonville seeks to protect Whiteman, Fort Leonard Wood
Skelton portrait will hang on Capitol Hill
Ceremony will pay homage to former Armed Services chairman.
Hartzler gets GOP policy role
House Republicans give 4th District congresswoman a higher profile.
UPDATED: Payroll tax cut extension splits Kansas, Missouri delegations
House: Cleaver, Graves vote no; Hartzler, Yoder yes Senate: Blunt, Moran no; McCaskill yes
Rep. Vicky Hartzler, tea party face similar challenges
Leaving a House Republican caucus meeting one morning, Rep. Vicky Hartzler had to pause a moment to get her bearings.
Shakeup in Hartzler office
Freshman congresswoman changes staff — may be nervous about upcoming challenge
Catholic leaders speak out against contraception regulation
Lawmakers and politicians scrambled Monday to respond to a growing furor over the Obama administration’s decision to require no-cost contraceptive insurance coverage …
Military cuts loom, Congress groans
Will Missouri and Kansas lawmakers be able to protect local bases?
Local lawmakers respond to Obama's State of the Union speech
“The vision President Obama laid out to bolster manufacturing, like we did at the Ford plant in Kansas City, and invest in our workforce is a starting point that we all should be able to support. Missouri’s middle-class …
Cass County prosecutor to run for Congress vs. Hartzler
Freshman Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler could face a challenger from her Missouri hometown as she seeks a second term from the redrawn 4th …
Missouri Democrats join court case over health care overhaul
WASHINGTON | Three dozen Missouri House Democrats have joined state lawmakers from around the country urging the Supreme Court to uphold the Obama administration’s health insurance law.
Political watchers sour on the traditional town hall
After weeks of flinging spitballs at each other, members of Congress are returning home this month to give constituents their turn.
Attention shifts to Senate compromise efforts in debt fight
WASHINGTON | The House on Friday evening finally approved a Republican plan linking an increase in the nation’s debt ceiling to the …
Heeding Obama, voters swamp Congress' websites, phones
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama asked Americans to reach out to Congress to make their voices heard on the debt ceiling debate — and so they did. Thousands of callers flooded the…
Debt ceiling deadline near, and compromise so far away
This is a fine mess we’ve gotten into.
Debt-irked voters shut down Congress' websites, phones
President Barack Obama asked Americans to reach out to Congress to make their voices heard on the debt ceiling debate - and so they did. Thousands of callers flooded the Capitol switchboard…
Constituents getting savvier on debt ceiling
WASHINGTON — As the end game in the political battle of wills over raising the debt ceiling approaches, the switchboards on Capitol Hill have been lighting up. “Stop bickering and…
On debt debate, lawmakers get an earful from constituents
As the end game in the political battle of wills over raising the debt ceiling approaches, the switchboards on Capitol Hill have been lighting up. “Stop bickering and compromise on a solution,”…
House GOP freshmen face political pressure of debt
House Republican freshmen are caught between rock-solid fiscal conservatism and a political hard place.The class of 2010 that lifted the GOP to its comfortable House majority pushed the leadership to…
Drive to manage river better is on-again, off-again
Missouri’s two senators will talk with colleagues from six states today about how the Missouri River is used, with an eye toward …
House panel OKs defense bill, delays gay service
A House panel approved a defense bill early Thursday that would delay President Barack Obama’s new policy allowing gays to serve openly in the military and limit the commander in chief’s authority on…
Lawmakers reshape map of Missouri
JEFFERSON CITY | After three months of cartographic confusion and power politics, Missouri lawmakers have redrawn the state’s congressional map.
Redistricting map sent to Nixon
JEFFERSON CITY | When it came to congressional redistricting, the Missouri lawmakers seemed to be following the philosophy of Duke Ellington.
Pentagon defends lifting ban on gays in military
The Pentagon said Friday the military should be trained in working with openly gay members by summer’s end, prompting House Republicans to complain that repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell” was moving…
Tea party's influence wanes as lawmakers compromise
Congressional leaders are inching closer to a deal on how much to cut federal spending for the next six months - and pretty much ignoring the spending-cut absolutists of the tea party, the…
Skelton is going back to being a lawyer
Former congressman Ike Skelton says he’s going back to being a country lawyer.
Redistricting battle ahead in Missouri
JEFFERSON CITY | A courier arrived Thursday in the Capitol to deliver Missouri’s political future.
Members of Congress, staff and family briefed on security
WASHINGTON-Security tightened Sunday on Capitol Hill as grief-stricken lawmakers, their spouses and staffers were briefed on their own safety after the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. About…
Shooting sparks discussion of incendiary political talk
When Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was targeted for defeat last year with a map showing a rifle’s cross hairs over her district, she worried it might incite violence. “When people do that, they’ve got…
Skelton’s defeat chosen top Missouri news story of 2010
KANSAS CITY | Ike Skelton’s election defeat after 34 years in Congress has been named the top Missouri news story of 2010 in a survey of newspaper and broadcast editors.
Hartzler gets top House committee choices
U.S. Rep.-elect Vicky Hartzler of Missouri received her top committee choices this week.
The wrangling on health care is far from over
The voters sneeze and health care reform catches pneumonia — again.
Skelton’s departure is worrying community
ST. ROBERT, Mo. | A tinge of apprehension could be seen behind some of the smiles at the ribbon-cutting for the Liberty Lodge.
Skelton picks Veterans Day events for first public appearances since his defeat
LEXINGTON, Mo. | A special Veterans Day for Ike Skelton.
Skelton fears 'chasm' between military, citizens
Departing House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton said Thursday that he fears a chasm will develop between U.S. military troops and the rest of the citizenry.For the 24th straight year,…
Politicos discuss Kansas, Missouri politics
Local political pundits discussed election surprises, state politics, Sam Brownback and more in an hour-long TV special.
Missouri, Kansas to lose influence on Capitol Hill
WASHINGTON | If political clout was a stock, then Missouri’s took a tumble in Tuesday’s elections. In Kansas, it took a nosedive.
Pollsters predictions vary in close congressional races
Some got it right, some got it wrong in forecasting the results of Tuesday’s midterm election. But, in general, there were several races that proved too tough to call, even for some of the country’s most prestigious political …
Facebook accurately predicted many of this year's political outcomes
Want to know who’s going to win a political election? Just check Facebook. The social media supergiant proved strangely accurate at predicting the outcome of this year’s election.
How Missouri's women fared in Tuesday's election
Missouri women maintain their numbers in the statehouse, despite high profile losses by Robin Carnahan and Susan Montee.
AP declares winners in Midterm Election
The Associated Press has released election results and announced several winners in area races.
Skelton falls to Hartzler
Vicky Hartzler — taking advantage of central Missouri’s anger toward and distrust of government — decisively upset 34-year U.S. House veteran Ike Skelton on Tuesday. With all precincts reporting, unofficial results showed Hartzler with 113,500 votes, or just …
Longtime U.S. Rep Ike Skelton falls to Vicky Hartzler
Vicky Hartzler — taking advantage of central Missouri’s anger toward and distrust of government — decisively upset 34-year U.S. House veteran Ike Skelton on Tuesday.
Republicans must prove worthy of voters’ trust
Ballot names followed by an (R) proved irresistible to Kansas voters Tuesday. And it wasn’t much different in Missouri.
Hartzler upsets Skelton in Missouri’s 4th District
Vicky Hartzler — taking advantage of central Missouri’s deep anger and distrust of government — decisively upset 34-year House veteran Ike Skelton on Tuesday.
Tuesday’s election turnout is likely to lag behind 2006
Few area counties are expecting big increases in voter turnout Tuesday compared with the last midterm election, and some predict decreases.
A ballot rich in crucial issues
The Star Editorial Board’s key choices.
Skelton-Hartzler congressional campaign runs close in final weekend
SEDALIA, Mo. | Congressional candidates Vicky Hartzler and Ike Skelton are scrambling across Missouri’s huge 4th District this weekend as the clock winds down in one of the nation’s last white-knuckle House races.
QUIZ: Candidate Quirks
So you think you’ve been following the election pretty closely, huh? Well we’ve compiled a quiz of some little-known candidate quirks and tidbits to test how well you really know them.
Debating the value of political debates
Candidate debates have long been a staple of American electoral politics, but many wonder whether they still hold value in today’s campaign climate.
Ad watch: Hartzler and Skelton ads
Mo. Senate candidates stress economy, bash DC
Missouri’s leading U.S. candidates stressed economic issues and denounced Washington politics - though for different reasons - as they took dueling bus tours Wednesday across opposite sides of the…
Skelton seeks to ride out wave of anti-incumbent anger fed by Hartzler
WASHINGTON | U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton is a conservative Democrat, but in his rural Missouri district, will that be enough?
Recommendations for Missouri’s top races
Voters should choose experienced candidates who offer a pragmatic approach
Boehner offers plum committees to GOP challengers
Deep in rural Georgia, the Republican who may become the next speaker of the U.S. House is playing let’s-make-a-deal with voters.
Skelton vs. Hartzler is a fight to the finish
WARRENSBURG, Mo. | U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton is in the political fight of his life.
Skelton-Hartzler race pulls close, now deemed too close to call
The respected non-partisan Cook Political Report has changed the Skelton re-election race from “leans Democratic” to a “tossup.” Bad news for the longtime congressman.
4th District U.S. House campaign turns into a horse race
Ike Skelton has run for Congress 17 times and won every election — most by sizable, double-digit margins.
Former home ec teacher’s campaign for Congress grabs national spotlight
HARRISONVILLE | Just past Odessa, along Missouri’s Interstate 70, it sits. A splash of red planted smack in the middle of a tired farm field.
Trackers are the new weapon of politics
The video went up on YouTube within hours:
The Atlantic on Skelton: Going on the offensive is key
For years, Rep. Ike Skelton has been beloved by his conservative district, despite being a Democrat. What’s it going to take to keep it that way?
Footage of Skelton's open mike gaffe used in new Hartzler ad
C-SPAN footage of incumbent Democratic Rep. Ike Skelton using some barnyard language on the floor of the U.S. House is being used in Republican Vicky Hartzler’s new TV ad.
Steve Kraske | For Democrats, it was a week to forget
You think
Hartzler radio ad responds to claims she's anti-military
Vicky Hartzler responds again to claims she doesn’t support veterans and the military.
Campaign staff member files complaint against 'tracker'
An employee of the Hartzler for Congress campaign has filed a complaint against a “tracker” who was hired by the Missouri Democratic Party.
In scheduling debates, silence speaks volumes
There’s something about the simple act of setting up debates that turns normally clear-thinking politicos into babbling zombies.
Democrats waging 'military campaigns' for Congress
His campaign fliers declare him “A Soldier’s Congressman.” His TV ads feature testimonials from the mother of a Marine. And he accuses his Republican opponent of not supporting the troops.U.S. Rep….
Ad watch | Vicky Hartzler and Ike Skelton
We analyze the truthfulness of the latest ad by Vicky Hartzler, who is running against Ike Skelton for Congress in Missouri’s 4th District.
As Labor Day arrives, Democrats have work to do
Rack ’em.
Post-primary questions and answers
In the wake of Tuesday’s primaries, I bet you have lots of questions.
Hartzler will face Skelton in 4th Congressional District race
Emerging from a pack of nine Republicans, Vicky Hartzler will face off against veteran U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton in Missouri’s 4th Congressional District race in the November general election.
Election Day Live Blogging: Moran wins
Stay informed with the latest news and observations as Missouri and Kansas head to the polls
Hot weather and hot issues
Today is primary day.
Spotlight shifts from Skelton in Republican primary race
So much for good intentions.
Aug. 3 primary will be quite illuminating
Fliers are flying. TV ads are blaring.
The Star’s recommendations for Missouri’s Aug. 3 congressional primaries
The many national challenges — a still-struggling economy, too few jobs, rising health insurance costs, two wars and continued terrorism threats — have attracted a bevy of candidates for Missouri’s congressional races. The retirement of U.S. Sen. Kit …
12 challengers hoping to take Skelton’s job in Congress
At 78, Democrat Ike Skelton is seeking an 18th term in Congress in a district that went for Republican John McCain over Democrat Barack Obama by 60-38 percent.
A field of 10 in GOP race fixates on one
Toppling Missouri’s Ike Skelton, a Democrat finishing his 17th term, is their real goal in this contest.
Field of 10 in GOP race fixates on one
BATES CITY, Mo. | Ask Republican Bill Stouffer to name his opponent as he battles for the right to represent the big 4th District in Congress, and he whips out his answer: “Ike Skelton.â€
Forecast for midterm elections: Stormy
Voters are sending one unmistakable message in 2010 — it doesn’t matter what you’re selling, we’re not buying.
Prime Buzz
- Jeff Roe to speak at CPAC
- Roberts would beat other GOP conservatives
- Conservatives are changing Kansas state government
- Nixon among those waiting in line for....Hillary
- Brownback tax plan facing backlash
- Obama working overtime to manipulate the media
- Idealistic Obama is back
- McKee makes case to keep tax credits flowing
- Analysis: Brownback may struggle to balance state budget
- Marco Rubio, a star is born
- New Missouri congressman to be picked Saturday
- Short story, big repercussions: Ogallala drops again