Abortion, immigration and energy: The battle for the Missouri Senate

Former Marine and international negotiations officer Lucas Kunce is challenging Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley in the senatorial race for the Nov. 5 election.

In September, Republican Hawley, Democrat Kunce, Nathan Kline of the Green Party and Jared Young of the Better Party faced off in a debate.

Hawley and Kunce have the highest polling numbers, with Hawley receiving 54% of the vote and Kunce 46% as of Oct. 1.

During the debate, the two addressed several issues, including abortion laws, immigration and the economy.

Kunce challenged Hawley’s stance on a national abortion ban. Hawley stated that he did not support a nationwide ban and that abortion should be left to individual states, though he recently signed a bill that would ban abortion completely after fifteen weeks.

“Missouri's got the most restrictive law in the country, right? We're the first nation or first state in the country to do that. It's Josh Hawley's abortion ban. It bans all abortion, even in cases of rape and incest, from day one. I think that's wrong,” Kunce said. “I think Missourians are smart enough to make their own decisions about how they live their lives, how they build and protect their families as a US senator. I'm gonna promise you right now. I will codify Roe versus Wade because we can't have no exception for rape and incest like Josh Hawley has put into play.”

Hawley rebutted, stating he doesn’t support a nationwide abortion ban but is in favor of federal restrictions on abortions. He then turned the issue to Kunce’s stance on transgender surgeries for minors.

“They are trying to change our constitution in this state this year to not only on abortion but to overturn our ban in the state on transgender surgeries for minors. That's on the ballot this fall. Lucas Kunce and his allies are supporting it. They talk about reproductive health. But what it really does is it allows transgender surgeries for minors without parental consent. I think it's nuts. I think it's absolutely crazy,” Hawley said.

The candidates then went on to discuss the issue of immigration.

Kunce, who has trained with Border Patrol, stated that he supports the use of fentanyl scanners and ending catch-and-release programs while also pointing out that Hawley voted against funding for these scanners and a bipartisan border bill that would allow 5,000 people to cross the border per day.

Hawley responded to this, highlighting the financial impact on taxpayers.

“Now, as to that bipartisan border bill, the Lucas Kunce just mentioned it is a terrible bill. It would allow 5,000 people across the border every day, 5,000 before you could close it. It would have increased the number of green cards by an astronomical number. It would have allowed, it would have mandated taxpayer funding for illegals’ lawyers,” Hawley said.

While the two candidates overlap slightly in their views on tax credits - both support eliminating taxes on tips and expanding the child tax credit - the two differ regarding surrounding policies. Hawley accused Kunce of wanting to “ditch all fossil fuels,” claiming it would cost $4.5 trillion and lead to tax hikes and job losses.

Kunce countered, emphasizing the value of American jobs and energy manufacturing.

“It means putting America first in the next generation of energy and manufacturing. I have a Marshall plan for the Midwest to build out that energy and manufacturing and have good union jobs right here in the Midwest. Josh Hawley has voted against investment here every single chance that he gets. And when he talks about energy and China, he is letting China get ahead by being in the pocket of oil companies, right? And that's not where we should be right now,” Kunce said.

In August, Hawley and Kunce argued at the Missouri State Fair, where Hawley challenged Kunce to an immediate debate. Kunce declined, stating they would have a formal debate on Fox News, and noted that the fairgrounds prohibited debates.

The next debate between Kunce and Hawley will take place on Oct. 31, just five days before the election. It will air on KTVI/KPLR-St. Louis, WDAF-Kansas City, KRBK-Springfield and KSN-Joplin.