RELEASE: Voters in Senate District 15 urge neighbors to vote for state senate candidates who will uphold will of the people
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024
Contact: Claire Cook-Callen, Claire@ProgressMO.org
Residents and voters in western St. Louis County speak out on the importance of the upcoming election for State Senate
Voters from Senate District 15 in western St. Louis County urged their neighbors and communities to vote for a candidate this November who will uphold the will of the people.
While no votes have yet been counted, candidates for the Missouri Senate are already promising voters they will overturn the election results on Amendment 3 and any other outcome they don’t support. In recent years, the Missouri Legislature has taken it upon themselves to overturn measures passed by a majority of voters when politicians disagreed with the outcome including regulations on puppy mills, a citizen-led end to gerrymandering, and refusing to fund the expanded Medicaid program.
The will of the people should be the final say, not that of greedy politicians who like to play political games.
“It is on us to elect politicians who will uphold the will of Missourians,” said Erin Hill, voter in Senate District 15. “State senators hold enormous power in ensuring that amendments when they pass at the ballot box are enacted and go into effect. We have seen time and time again examples where what we voted for was delayed or dismantled and flat out rejected by state lawmakers.”
Candidates vying to represent Senate District 15 are Democrat Joe Pereles and Republican David Gregory. Pereles is a businessman and 40-year volunteer and Global Leader with the Red Cross. Gregory is an attorney, accountant, and former state representative. Gregory voted to overturn voter-approved redistricting reform known as Clean Missouri in 2020, and he sponsored and passed Missouri’s total abortion ban.
“Too often these days, it seems our state legislators are up to something underhanded,” said Mary Ann Perkins, lifelong Ellisville resident and volunteer with Abortion Action Missouri. “Meanwhile, Missouri voters and Missouri families have gotten the short end of the stick. Again and again, we find that our elected officials in Jefferson City have crossed the line — instead of doing their jobs, they’re pouring time, attention and money into unpopular legislation. No matter who wins in November, our elected officials owe it to us to serve us, to represent us and to be accountable to uphold the will of the people – not dismantle it.”
“The candidates I’ll be voting for understand that it is us, the people, who have political power,” continued Hill. “It is us, the people, who are voting and making our voices known. I’ll be voting for candidates who I can trust to raise our voices and fight for the issues that matter to us.”
“Even though Amendment 3 has my personal vote, I know my vote will not be protected by the current Missouri Legislature,” Nancy O’Brien told those gathered. “The Missouri Legislature has a history of ignoring the voice of people. They have been actively telling voters, ‘We don’t want to hear what you have to say. We know what is best for you.’ But it’s time for us to vote out those who won’t listen to what we the voters decide. We need candidates who will respect our will.”
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