Michael Bushnell
Publisher

State Senator Greg Razer, who represents most of Historic Northeast Kansas City in the 7th State Senate District, was appointed by Governor Mike Parson in April to the State Tax Commission. Razer had filed in February to run for re-election but withdrew from the race following his appointment. 

According to Missouri Law, a special election must be held to fill the seat. Candidate filing with the Missouri Secretary of State closed last Tuesday, May 7th and three candidates, two Democrats and one Republican have filed to fill the open seat.

The 7th Senate district, according to 2020 census figures, has a population of just over 180,000 people. Geographically, the district stretches from the MIssouri River all the way south to 155th Street with an eastern boundary that largely follows Troost and Holmes between Truman Road and 95th Street. Past that, it looks as if a toddler got loose with a crayon. 

State Representative Patty Lewis, a Democrat, has filed to run as has fellow Democrat Pat Contreras. The lone Republican, Joey LaSalle filed in February to run against Razer.

Lewis represents Missouri’s 25th District that runs roughly from the Country Club Plaza south to I-435 and is roughly bounded by Holmes and Wornall Road on the east and the State Line on the west. She was elected to the Missouri House in 2020.

Lewis grew up in Kansas City and earned her Bachelor’s degree from Rockhurst University in 2000 and has served as an ICU/critical care nurse prior to her election to the House. 

Pat Contreras, also a Democrat, is currently the Vice President of Business Development for McGowan Gordon Construction. He ran in 2016 for State Treasurer but was defeated in the Primary election to Judy Baker.

Contreras, also grew up in Kansas City and earned two undergraduate degrees from St. Louis University and a Masters degree in Public Administration from Columbia University in New York. He was appointed to the Jackson County, MO Veterans Task Force in 2014. 

The race’s lone Republican, Joseph “Joey” LaSalle is the Chief Operations Officer at On Point Consulting Group, a local health care information management firm. We reached out to his firm for additional information but as of press time had not heard back. 

Voting to fill the seat will take place in the August 8th primary election. The two top vote getters will advance to the general election in November.