Missouri Lt. Governor says election results reflect voter frustration over economy

Missouri Lieutenant Governor David Wasinger says rising costs and economic frustration played a major role in the recent midterm election results, while warning that the outcome could have significant consequences for the state's legislative agenda.

In an interview with NewsTalk KZRG, Wasinger said Republicans faced strong political headwinds, particularly as voters dealt with higher gasoline prices, inflation and concerns about the economy.

Wasinger recalled paying more than $107 to fill his pickup truck shortly before Election Day, saying the experience reinforced his belief that economic concerns would influence voters.

"It's the economy, stupid," Wasinger said. "People vote with their pocketbooks."

He also pointed to the war involving Iran and its impact on energy prices as factors that may have hurt Republicans nationally.

Despite the difficult election results, Wasinger noted that Republicans maintained their stronghold in southwest Missouri, including the Joplin area, where Republican candidates won legislative races.

He said the election results could influence leadership decisions in the Missouri General Assembly and the direction of legislation in the coming session.

Wasinger pointed to the Missouri House's recent selection of new leadership, including Representative Alex Riley of the Springfield area as speaker and Representative Darren Chappell, also from the Springfield area, as majority leader.

Wasinger described Chappell as being on the more conservative end of the political spectrum, suggesting the leadership changes could help move some of the Republican Party's more conservative priorities forward.

The Missouri Senate was scheduled to select its leadership later Thursday.

One of the biggest disappointments for Wasinger was the defeat of Amendment 3, which would have repealed the abortion-rights protections Missouri voters approved in 2024.

Wasinger blamed the outcome partly on the national political environment and what he described as a significant financial disadvantage for opponents of the amendment.

He said supporters of the repeal raised approximately $500,000 before billionaire Michael Bloomberg contributed another $1.5 million to the opposing effort.

Wasinger said the financial disparity made the campaign an uphill battle and called for Republicans to examine what went wrong.

He also expressed concern about the passage of Amendment 6, which changes the process for approving citizen-led initiatives and amending Missouri's Constitution.

Wasinger argued the measure could make it more difficult for the Missouri Legislature to reverse laws approved through the initiative petition process. He said the amendment's provisions could require an 80-percent legislative vote to undo certain voter-approved measures.

He warned that outside interest groups could use the initiative process to advance policies involving firearms, voting procedures and other controversial issues, potentially bypassing the state's elected lawmakers.

Wasinger said he hopes legal challenges to Amendment 6 will succeed. If the courts uphold it, he said Missouri lawmakers may need to consider other options, potentially including a constitutional convention.

He acknowledged he has not researched the constitutional convention process in detail but said the implications of Amendment 6 are significant enough to warrant a closer examination.

Looking ahead, Wasinger said Republicans must do a better job delivering on campaign promises and advancing conservative legislation.

He was particularly critical of the Missouri Senate, describing it as dysfunctional and calling for greater transparency and efficiency.

Wasinger said he wants to see the Senate begin livestreaming its proceedings so Missourians can see firsthand how their elected representatives conduct business.

He believes greater public visibility could lead to changes in Senate rules and a more productive legislative process.

"We need to get these good conservative beliefs across the finish line and start delivering for Missourians," Wasinger said.

He added that the coming months will be important as Missouri Republicans evaluate the election results, select legislative leaders and determine how to move their priorities forward.