On Friday, Feb. 28, Drury’s Young Democrats hosted a panel with two of Missouri’s hopeful candidates for positions in the upcoming November elections, Elad Gross and Betsy Fogle. Both Gross and Fogle are Democratic candidates looking to overturn their conservative incumbent counterparts.

Meet Elad Gross

Gross, a teacher turned constitutional lawyer, is running for Attorney General and hoping to unseat republican Eric Schmitt. Gross is passionate about many issues that are important to Missourians and especially to those in the Springfield area.

As a result of his educational background, Gross has a strong stance about the current education system and its problems.

“For me, the reason I got into public service and the reason I’m doing this right now is because I have worked with kids for so long and through all that time there have been different promises, different programs, different this and that, but very few things have changed,” he stated.

Gross is also passionate about justice reform and lowering the rising crime rate in Missouri.

“Violence is a really big issue in Missouri,” he explained. “We need somebody in the attorney general’s office who is going to coordinate state-wide efforts, like other states are doing, to make sure our justice system works.”

According to Gross, the goal of the campaign is not solely based upon winning. Instead, he cares more about working for change and moving towards what he sees as a more effective and transparent form of government.

“The goal of the campaign is to change things for the better,” he said. “If you put winning over everything else you have already lost.”

Gross highly encourages voters to reach out to him, either by emailing him or even by calling or texting his phone number, (314)-753-9033.

Elad Gross and Betsy Fogle (Photo via Samantha Ellis)

Meet Betsy Fogle

The other new candidate that visited Drury’s Young Democrats was Betsy Fogle, who is running for Representative of the 135th district, which covers east Springfield. She is hoping to unseat Republican Rep. Steve Helms.

One of the issues she deems most important right now to the people of Springfield is healthcare. Fogle has a background in policy health and has worked in public health for the last five years and cares deeply about healthcare as a result.

“I believe everyone should have access to quality and affordable healthcare,” she said. If she is elected she hopes to be able to push for the expansion of Medicaid.

The other main issue she is running upon is LGBTQ+ rights. She hopes to get the Nondiscrimination Act passed, which would make it illegal to deny employment, public housing, and public accommodations to individuals based upon their sexual orientation and gender identity.

She believes that Springfield especially is a place where discrimination against those in the LGBTQ+ community has no place. She explained, “We need to make this community a place where all feel welcome, all feel included, and all feel like they can thrive in.”

Fogle runs a very personal and hands-on campaign. Every Saturday you can find her and her all-female team knocking on doors and talking to the people of the 135th. She encourages anyone with questions about her or her campaign to reach out to her via phone or email.

November is just around the corner, so don’t forget to register to vote and head out to the ballots to support your local legislation!

Written by Samantha Ellis.