By Paul Thompson

Northeast News

November 9, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Missouri – Republicans won the day on Election Night, triumphing in the Presidential race and sweeping Missouri’s highest statewide offices.

In the Historic Northeast, though, prominent Democrats John Rizzo, Ingrid Burnett, and Kiki Curls managed to win seats in Senate District 11, House District 19, and Senate District 9, respectively.

Curls has represented the 9th District since 2011, and garnered 53,304 votes in her unopposed race. Burnett was challenged in the House District 19 race by Green Party candidate Valorie Engholm, but ultimately won the seat easily with 5,398 votes, or more than 76% of the final tally. Burnett acknowledged on Wednesday that she had hoped to have more Democratic colleagues joining her in Jefferson City.

“You know, I have to say: for me personally, I was disappointed. I was hoping to see us keep some Democratic leadership at the state level,” said Burnett. “My next reaction is to work on the cynicism that came out.”

Burnett was on her way to Jefferson City on Wednesday night, as Democratic leaders were set to caucus to elect party leadership on Thursday, November 10. The new District 19 Representative said that while the election results were somewhat bittersweet, she’s looking forward to giving  voice to the citizens in her district.

“There are other women who I had hoped would win their seats who did not. I will miss that opportunity to work with them,” said Burnett. “On the other hand, I’m so grateful and honored to be in this position, and to help people overcome their cynicism. There are things we can still accomplish that will add up to big things.”

Rizzo, meanwhile, appeared to be locked into a toss-up battle with Republican Brent Thurston Lasater for much of Election Night. Rizzo – who had previously held the District 19 House seat won by Burnett – ultimately rebounded late in the evening to win the race by roughly 2,500 votes, taking the Senate District 11 race by almost a 5% margin. On Wednesday, November 9, Rizzo breathed a sigh of relief and thanked the voters who expressed their faith in his ability to represent the citizens of the 11th District.

“We’re just very lucky to have the people speak on this election,” said Rizzo. “I’m excited to represent the people of the 11th Senatorial District; that’s not fodder. These are good people who are just trying to make ends meet and provide a better life for their families. I am just so honored for them to give me the nod to represent them.”

Though Rizzo acknowledged that he would have preferred to enter the Senate with more Democratic colleagues , he added that he’s never had a problem reaching across party lines in support of good legislation. He vowed to do the same on behalf of 11th District voters.

“I am always open and available to discuss good policies, and I hope to be able to work across the line to get stuff done,” said Rizzo. “My door is always open to a good idea, Democrat and Republican.”

“If we can get past the rhetoric and just work on what’s in the best interest of this state, we’ll be okay,” Rizzo added. “We just have got to continue to search for things that we do agree on, and work together on them.”