Missouri senator Claire McCaskill is headed to Harris-Stowe State University on Saturday, Jan. 27 to take questions from St. Louisans.
In the event at Emerson Performance Center at 9:00 am, McCaskill will take written questions from the audience.
McCaskill said she is open to discussing whatever issues those in attendance bring to the table.
“That’s the great part about town halls, I’ll be discussing whatever the audience wants to discuss,” McCaskill said.
The senator said she hopes to discuss Missouri governor Eric Greitens’ proposed cuts to higher education funding, which could have a substantial impact on St. Louis universities, and also expects to hear questions on immigration and criminal justice reform.
The event will be McCaskill’s 51st town hall of the year. She has attended several events at Harris-Stowe in the past.
“Harris-Stowe in many ways is seen as a pillar, and rightfully so, in St. Louis City,” McCaskill said.
McCaskill will be up for reelection to the Senate in 2018. In the Republican Party primary contest to choose her opponent, state attorney general Joshua Hawley is the most prominent contender.
McCaskill is one of a group of Democratic senators, many of facing reelection in red states, who helped broker a deal to end the recent government shutdown. Her history of reaching across the aisle has earned her criticism from both the left and the right, including a long-shot primary challenge from a political novice, Angelica Earl, who favors single-payer healthcare.
McCaskill said she feels “very optimistic” about her chances for reelection and that as an opponent, Hawley would provide a sharp contrast.
“Josh Hawley is one hundred percent with Donald Trump, on everything,” McCaskill said. “I am somebody who believes that I should be a check and an independant voice on Donald Trump.”
