Crystal Quade made a significant visit to Cape Girardeau this weekend, reaching out to the people of Southeast Missouri as she campaigns for governor. The role of governor is vital, encompassing leadership of Missouri’s executive branch with the authority to appoint members to boards and commissions, select Supreme Court justices, and manage the state’s budget—decisions that profoundly impact all Missourians.
Quade is challenging an administration in Jefferson City that she believes prioritizes political insiders over the needs of working families. “I’m running for governor for one simple reason: Missouri’s parents, working extra shifts today, have children who need to beat the odds tomorrow. I’ll fight for families like the one I grew up in,” she asserted, underscoring her commitment to addressing the issues that matter most to everyday citizens.
Having grown up in rural Southwest Missouri, Quade’s personal journey resonates with many voters. As the first in her family to graduate high school, she later earned a degree in social work from Missouri State University. If elected, she would be the first female governor of Missouri.
As the minority floor leader in the Missouri House of Representatives, Quade is running against Republican challenger Mike Kehoe, who has been a strong proponent of measures that restrict reproductive rights and has opposed efforts to expand healthcare access. Quade contends that her leadership is essential for empowering Missourians to make their own healthcare decisions.
Her day began with a visit at the historical St James African Methodist Episcopal Church. She shared a brief encounter with a passerby outside the church who voiced their support for her This was followed later with a rally at Capaha Park, hosted by the Cape County Democrats, Quade garnered support from across the region. Her message emphasized the need for a leader who prioritizes working and farming families. “Electing a Democrat governor brings balance back to this conversation,” she said. “It encourages dialogue across the aisle to move Missouri forward.”
Quade highlighted that this year marked one of the least productive legislative sessions in Missouri’s history, despite one party controlling all statewide offices and having supermajorities in the legislature. “They’re too busy fighting amongst themselves to address the real issues affecting Missourians,” she noted.
Her priorities include ensuring access to public education, affordable healthcare, and investments in infrastructure—spanning roads, bridges, and broadband access. Quade believes that true progress requires a commitment to equity in tax policy, advocating for measures like eliminating the food tax, which disproportionately impacts working-class citizens.
“My understanding of what Missourians are going through comes from lived experience,” Quade reflected. “I know the struggle of deciding between paying the utility bill or the mortgage. These are real choices that families face every day.”
With critical issues like reproductive rights, economic justice, and community representation at the forefront of voters’ concerns, the upcoming election for Missouri’s governor presents a pivotal opportunity for change. By supporting Crystal Quade Crystal Quade’s campaign is rooted in her dedication to the people of Missouri and her promise to prioritize their needs in Jefferson City.
