2018 Missouri US Senate Voters Guide

Josh Hawley (R) vs Claire McCaskill (D)

US Senate | Election | Nov 6, 2018

The Candidates

Josh Hawley

Josh Hawley

Republican

Claire McCaskill

Claire McCaskill

Democrat

Incumbent

The Issues

Abortion

Mostly ban or mostly legal?

Josh Hawley (R)

Ban. Called Roe v. Wade “one of the most unjust decisions” in U.S. judicial history.

Claire McCaskill (D)

Legal. Supported bill to prevent abortion providers being singled out for medically unwarranted restrictions.

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Campaign Finance

Require political ads to disclose their largest funders?

Josh Hawley (R)

Unclear. Has said need ethics reform, but no stands requiring this.

Claire McCaskill (D)

Yes. Backed bills to require.

Support Citizens United decision, allowing unlimited political donations from corporations and unions?

Josh Hawley (R)

Unknown, although Citizens United PAC supported for Attorney General.

Claire McCaskill (D)

No. Restore reasonable limits.

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Climate Change

Consider climate change a critical threat? Limit or tax greenhouse gas production?

Claire McCaskill (D)

Yes, but asked for more time for coal plants to implement Obama Clean Power Plan, while opposing its repeal. Opposed carbon tax but supports US participation in Paris Climate Accord.

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Contraception

Allow employers to withhold contraceptive coverage from employees if disagree with it morally?

Josh Hawley (R)

Yes. Was lawyer in Hobby Lobby case  that gave businesses religious freedom rights to withhold this coverage.

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Courts

Supported Brett Kavanaugh nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court?

Josh Hawley (R)

Yes.

Claire McCaskill (D)

Will decide after hearings.

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Economy

Support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?

Josh Hawley (R)

Unknown.

Support President Trump’s tariffs on Chinese steel and other products?

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Education

Provide vouchers to send children to private schools with public money?

Josh Hawley (R)

Has supported eligibility of religious schools for state resources. Position unclear on vouchers.

Claire McCaskill (D)

No.

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Elections

Support nonpartisan “Clean Missouri” redistricting initiative to address partisan gerrymandering and limit gifts by lobbyists.

Josh Hawley (R)

No current stand.

Claire McCaskill (D)
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Environment

Support cutbacks in Environmental Protection Administration?

Josh Hawley (R)
Claire McCaskill (D)
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Financial Regulation

Support cutbacks in Consumer Financial Protection Bureau?

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Gay Rights

Support gay marriage?

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Gun Control

Support more restrictive gun control legislation? Restrict semi-automatic weapons?

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Immigration

Support or Repeal Affordable Care Act (ACA), known as Obamacare?

Josh Hawley (R)

Repeal & replace ACA, which “was never constitutional.” Part of lawsuit to end required coverage of pre-existing conditions.

Claire McCaskill (D)

Supports “improving” ACA. Offered Senate resolution to protect coverage of pre-existing conditions.

Allow public funding of Planned Parenthood for non-abortion health services?

Josh Hawley (R)
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Immigration

Support DREAM Act (DACA), allowing “Dreamers” who arrived illegally as children, then grew up in the US, to achieve legal status if meet certain conditions? Support path to citizenship for America’s 11 million illegal immigrants?

Josh Hawley (R)
Claire McCaskill (D)

Voted for 2010 DREAM Act. Worked on bipartisan immigration proposal with path to citizenship for DACA kids combined with more border security. Opposes Trump’s wall and family separations. Has opposed general path to citizenship for illegal immigrants.

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Iran

Support Trump withdrawal from treaty limiting Iran nuclear capability in return for lifting economic sanctions?

Josh Hawley (R)

Yes.

Claire McCaskill (D)

Supported original treaty. “Concerned about what comes next” and effect on relationship with allies.

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Labor

Support “Right to Work” laws, which make union dues optional?

Josh Hawley (R)

Yes.

Claire McCaskill (D)
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Marijuana

Legalize or decriminalize marijuana.

Josh Hawley (R)

“Inclined” to support medical marijuana in initiative.

Claire McCaskill (D)

Supports medical marijuana, alternatives to prison for nonviolent drug offenders, “might support” recreational marijuana.

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Minimum Wage

Support Missouri minimum wage initiative?

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Net Neutrality

Require internet providers to provide equal access to all users?

Josh Hawley (R)

Unknown.

Josh Hawley (R)

Yes. Co-sponsored bill to restore rule requiring this.

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President Trump

Percentage of key votes supporting Trump positions in Senate?

Josh Hawley (R)

N/A, but has disagreed with Trump “on nothing that has happened so far.”

Claire McCaskill (D)

45% as of Sept 1.

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Privatization

Support full or partial privatization of Social Security and VA?

Josh Hawley (R)

Unknown.

Claire McCaskill (D)

Opposes privatization.

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Renewable Energy

Support government subsidies for renewable energy?

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Student Debt & Financial Aid

Refinance student loans at lower rates, by raising high-earner taxes? Increase student financial aid, like Pell Grants?

Claire McCaskill (D)

Yes. Co-sponsored Elizabeth Warren proposal to refinance student loans. Supports increasing Pell Grants.

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Taxes

Support President Trump’s tax cuts?

Josh Hawley (R)

Yes. Supports.

Claire McCaskill (D)

No. Opposes.

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Voting Rights

Support stricter voting rules like voter ID requirements or reduced registration times, even if they prevent some people from voting?

Josh Hawley (R)

Defended strict Missouri Voter ID Law, but may have just been in his role as Attorney General.

Claire McCaskill (D)

Opposes.

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Other candidates include Japeth Campbell (Libertarian) and Jo Crain (Green), and Craig O’Dear (I). Due to lack of space, we can only include candidates who poll 15% or more, but encourage you to check out their websites.

guides.vote is a nonpartisan effort to show where candidates stand, with links to credible sources. We do not support or oppose any political party or candidate for office. Vote411.org offers guides to local races.

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Josh Hawley

republican Party

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Claire McCaskill

democratic Party

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Josh Hawley

republican

Claire McCaskill

democratic

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Abortion

Mostly ban or mostly legal?

Ban. Called Roe v. Wade "one of the most unjust decisions" in U.S. judicial history.Legal. Supported bill to prevent abortion providers being singled out for medically unwarranted restrictions.
Campaign Finance

Require political ads to disclose their largest funders?

Unclear. Has said need ethics reform, but no stands requiring this.Yes. Backed bills to require.
Climate Change

Consider climate change a critical threat? Limit or tax greenhouse gas production?

No. Criticized Obama’s “job-killing ‘climate agenda’”  and “climate change crusade.” Backed lawsuit against Obama Clean Power Plan.Yes, but asked for more time for coal plants to implement Obama Clean Power Plan, while opposing its repeal. Opposed carbon tax but supports US participation in Paris Climate Accord.
Contraception

Allow employers to withhold contraceptive coverage from employees if disagree with it morally?

Yes. Was lawyer in Hobby Lobby case  that gave businesses religious freedom rights to withhold this coverage.No. Says best way to reduce unintended pregnancies and abortions is by expanding access to birth control.
Courts

Supported Brett Kavanaugh nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court?

Yes.Will decide after hearings.
Economy

Support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?

Unknown.Supports federal infrastructure investment.
Education

Provide vouchers to send children to private schools with public money?

Has supported eligibility of religious schools for state resources. Position unclear on vouchers.No.
Elections

Support nonpartisan “Clean Missouri” redistricting initiative to address partisan gerrymandering and limit gifts by lobbyists.

No current stand.Yes. “Couldn’t be more enthusiastic
Environment

Support cutbacks in Environmental Protection Administration?

Fought Obama EPA “overreach.” Opposed EPA “Clean Power Plan.”No, but opposed some EPA regulations affecting farmers.
Financial Regulation

Support cutbacks in Consumer Financial Protection Bureau?

Yes. Argued that its creation was unconstitutional.No, but voted to amend some of its banking rules.
Gay Rights

Support gay marriage?

No. Supports “the biblical truth about husband and wife, man and woman.” Yes.
Gun Control

Support more restrictive gun control legislation? Restrict semi-automatic weapons?

Supports background checks, banning bump stocks, but not assault rifles.Yes. Supports Second Amendment, but supports background checks, closing gun show loophole, assault rifle ban.
Immigration

Support or Repeal Affordable Care Act (ACA), known as Obamacare?

Repeal & replace ACA, which “was never constitutional.” Part of lawsuit to end required coverage of pre-existing conditions.Supports “improving” ACA. Offered Senate resolution to protect coverage of pre-existing conditions.
Immigration

Support DREAM Act (DACA), allowing “Dreamers” who arrived illegally as children, then grew up in the US, to achieve legal status if meet certain conditions? Support path to citizenship for America’s 11 million illegal immigrants?

Opposes general path to citizenship. “Amnesty is not the answer.” Supports Trump border wall. Position on DACA unclear. Criticized McCaskill for “giving illegal immigrants a free pass and allowing them to use children as a human shield.”Voted for 2010 DREAM Act. Worked on bipartisan immigration proposal with path to citizenship for DACA kids combined with more border security. Opposes Trump’s wall and family separations. Has opposed general path to citizenship for illegal immigrants.
Iran

Support Trump withdrawal from treaty limiting Iran nuclear capability in return for lifting economic sanctions?

Yes.Supported original treaty. “Concerned about what comes next” and effect on relationship with allies.
Labor

Support “Right to Work” laws, which make union dues optional?

Yes.No. Opposed MO ballot initiative .
Marijuana

Legalize or decriminalize marijuana.

“Inclined” to support medical marijuana in initiative.Supports medical marijuana, alternatives to prison for nonviolent drug offenders, “might support” recreational marijuana.
Minimum Wage

Support Missouri minimum wage initiative?

Hasn’t made up mind. “Worried it may actually result in lost jobs.”Supports MO initiative to raise to $12/hour by 2023.
Net Neutrality

Require internet providers to provide equal access to all users?

Unknown.Yes. Co-sponsored bill to restore rule requiring this.
President Trump

Percentage of key votes supporting Trump positions in Senate?

N/A, but has disagreed with Trump “on nothing that has happened so far.”45% as of Sept 1.
Privatization

Support full or partial privatization of Social Security and VA?

Unknown.Opposes privatization.
Renewable Energy

Support government subsidies for renewable energy?

Unknown.Yes. Supports alternative energy subsidies, but also recognizes Missouri’s dependence on coal and supported Keystone Pipeline.
Student Debt & Financial Aid

Refinance student loans at lower rates, by raising high-earner taxes? Increase student financial aid, like Pell Grants?

Unclear, but says universities waste billions of public funds and leave families with billions of debt, giving students “worthless degrees” and indoctrinating them in far-left thinking.Yes. Co-sponsored Elizabeth Warren proposal to refinance student loans. Supports increasing Pell Grants.
Taxes

Support President Trump’s tax cuts?

Yes. Supports.No. Opposes.
Voting Rights

Support stricter voting rules like voter ID requirements or reduced registration times, even if they prevent some people from voting?

Defended strict Missouri Voter ID Law, but may have just been in his role as Attorney General.Opposes.

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