Politically Speaking

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, we explore three major contests up on the Aug. 4 ballot: The Republican primary for St. Charles County Executive; a ballot item over whether some constitutional amendments should be more difficult to pass; and the reauthorization of a critical sales tax funding Missouri State Parks.

Gina Mitten returns to Politically Speaking to discuss her next goal in Missouri politics: Becoming the next state senator for Missouri's 4th District. Mitten joins St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum to talk about why she's the best Democrat for the job, what she would focus on in the Senate and her opinions on Amendments 3, 4 and 5.

Steve Butz, a St. Louis Democrat, joins St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum to talk about his candidacy for Missouri's 4th Senate District. He also spoke on his vote to place the St. Louis Police Department under state control, what the state still needs to do on tornado recovery as well as his thoughts on some of the proposed constitutional amendments that Missouri voters w...

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, Republican Chris Stigall talks about his campaign to succeed Congressman Sam Graves in Missouri's 6th Congressional District. Stigall's main opponent in the Aug. 4 primary is Kansas City Councilman Nathan Willett, who appeared earlier this month on the podcast.

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Sarah Fentem talks about the impact of Jackson County Judge Jerri Zhang's ruling on abortion access – and how November's Amendment 3 could put expanded access at risk. Children's Division director Sara Smith discusses how she's reorganizing how child abuse investigators do their jobs. And Politically Speaking H...

St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann was originally going to retire after roughly 20 years on the job. But the Republican countywide official chose to seek a sixth term in office, partly because he believes he’s the only candidate who can prevent former Sen. Bill Eigel from taking his job. “Given the people who were running, especially former Sen. Eigel, it was necessary for me to defend eve...

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, former state Sen. Bill Eigel talks about why he's running for St. Charles County executive. Eigel is one of three major candidates in the Aug. 4 primary, which includes incumbent Steve Ehlmann and former Lake Saint Louis Mayor Jason Law.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, former Lake Saint Louis Mayor Jason Law discusses his bid for St. Charles County Executive. Law is squaring off against incumbent County Executive Steve Ehlmann and former Sen. Bill Eigel on Aug. 4.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, Kansas City City Councilman Nathan Willett joins the program to talk about his bid to become the GOP nominee in Missouri's 6th Congressional District. Willett is one of two major Republican contenders running to succeed Rep. Sam Graves in Congress.

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, Sarah Labowitz of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace joins the program to talk about the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Relief program. Later, STLPR's Rachel Lippmann discussed the push from the St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners to raise pay for commanders.

In a wide-ranging interview with STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum, Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy talks about his book “The Crisis of the Common Good: The Search for Meaning and Connection in a Broken America.” Among other things, Murphy explores how globalization and technology advances erased distinct aspects of American society.

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, we look into whether Republicans will try to dismantle Missouri's 1st Congressional District in 2027. We also talk with state Rep. Richard West about moving St. Charles County school-related elections from April to November.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum and Will Bauer talk with Christian Mitchell – who Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker selected to be his lieutenant governor running mate last year. Mitchell is a former state legislator and deputy governor.

The Ian Mackey era in the Missouri House is coming to an end. And on the latest episode of the Politically Speaking podcast, the Clayton Democrat reflected on his eight years of service in the Missouri House. Mackey and STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum discussed education policy, a possible merger between St. Louis and St. Louis County, and why he does not like the initiative petition process.

On the latest episode of STLPR's Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Sarah Kellogg and Lilley Halloran join the show to break down what passed and what didn't pass during the 2026 Missouri General Assembly session. And later in the show, representatives with Respect Missouri Voters break down their initiative that could make it much harder for lawmakers to overturn voter-app...

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, economist Aaron Hedlund talks about Gov. Mike Kehoe's plan to expand the state's sales and use taxes to get rid of the income tax. Later in the show, St. Louis Alderwoman Anne Schweitzer discusses her misgivings about a data center near the Armory Building in Midtown. And former Sen. Scott Sifton provides his impressio...

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR reporters talk with St. Louis residents before Mayor Cara Spencer's State of the City. We also take a look at whether St. Charles County could be in the process of a big political shift toward the Democrats. And we also explore the history of protest music both inside and outside the St. Louis region.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, former state legislator and former judge Ted House talks with STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum about what the recent results in St. Charles County mean for the fast-growing area's political future. House is the last Democrat elected in St. Charles County, but he says he hopes he's not the last.

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum talks with attorney Joe Blanner about the prospect of St. Louis entering St. Louis County as a municipality. Rosenbaum also takes stock about the end of the 2026 candidate filing period – and also previews Tuesday's municipal elections with STLPR's Hiba Ahmad.

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum talks with Sen. Tracy McCreery and Rep. George Hruza about what to expect in the second half of the 2026 Missouri General Assembly session. Rosenbaum also discussed the results of the Illinois primary for STLPR's Will Bauer. And he also welcomed back Congressman Eric Burlison to the program to t...

On a special edition of Politically Speaking, Congressman Eric Burlison talks with STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum about why he wants the federal filibuster to resemble the Missouri Senate's filibuster. In the U.S. Senate, a filibuster doesn't require anyone to talk or exert much energy. In the Missouri Senate, a senator or senators can hold the floor as long as they want either until they stand down or u...

On the latest episode of "The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis in the Air," Washington University's Carly Wayne talks with STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum about how Missouri and Illinois Republicans are reacting to Donald Trump's attack on Iran. Missouri Independent deputy editor Rudi Keller discusses the lay of the legal land on Missouri redistricting. And STLPR's Will Bauer and Capitol News Illino...

Illinois U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who holds a massive fundraising advantage, is among three leading Democrats in the primary to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin. On this episode of Politically Speaking, St. Louis Public Radio's Will Bauer and Jason Rosenbaum ask Krishnamoorthi why Illinoisans should send him to the Senate.

As he tries to become the next St. Charles County executive, former state Sen. Bill Eigel is defending his fundraising strategies that inspired Republican House members to advance legislation curtailing recurring campaign contributions. Eigel speaks with STLPR’s Jason Rosenbaum on the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air. Rosenbaum reports from Springfield on how Missouri Republicans...

The Chicago-area real estate developer, video gambling mogul and fuel company owner entered the GOP primary in Illinois governor's race late last fall. On this episode of Politically Speaking, Heidner makes his case for why he's the right Republican to take on Gov. JB Pritzker.