Politically Speaking

Mark Mantovani ran twice for St. Louis County executive as a Democrat. But now the retired businessman is the GOP nominee under unusual circumstances. He talks about his return to electoral politics — and his views on a wide range of pertinent issues.

St. Louis-based author Sarah Kendzior spoke with STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum earlier this week about her new book They Knew: How a Culture of Conspiracy Keeps America Complacent. Rosenbaum and Kendzior spoke in front of a live audience at the Ethical Society in Ladue. The event was organized by Left Bank Books

Republican George Hruza is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where he talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum about his bid for the 24th state Senate district.

Hruza is seeking to represent the St. Louis County-based district that includes Fenton, Maryland Heights and Kirkwood. He’s running against Rep. Tracy McCreery, an Olivette Democrat who has served in the Missouri House for roughly nine years.

Lis Smith is the author of the best-selling book "Any Given Tuesday: A Political Love Story." Much of it talks about her life and career around political communications work, including her tenure with Pete Buttigieg's presidential campaign. But she also spent time in Missouri working for Democratic heavyweights like Claire McCaskill and Chris Koster. Smith spoke extensively with St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum about her time in the Show Me State — and other major points in the best-selling book.

Democratic Rep. Tracy McCreery is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. She joins St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum to talk about not only the upcoming special session, but her candidacy to be the state Senator for Missouri's 24th District, which is considered to be the most competitive Senate race this election cycle.

Democratic state Auditor nominee Alan Green is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where he discussed his campaign for state auditor with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg.

Green served as a member of the state House from 2014 through the beginning of 2021. He is squaring off against state Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick in November. Fitzpatrick is planning on appearing on an episode of Politically Speaking at a later date.

Republican Sen. Lincoln Hough of Springfield joins St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum to talk about a litany of topics, including the upcoming special session dealing with tax cuts and credits. Hough, vice-chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee says he wants to pass an income tax cut Missouri can afford in the years to come. Hough also spoke on the August 2nd Primary, the upcoming November election and how he thinks the Missouri Senate may function after the dissolution of the Conservative Caucus.

Democrat John Kiehne is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where he talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg about his bid for the 26th Senatorial District.

Kiehne is seeking to represent a district that includes a small part of St. Louis County and all of Franklin, Osage, Gasconade and Warren Counties. He ran in 2018, losing decisively to Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz. Republican Ben Brown won the GOP contest to succeed Schatz, who cannot run for another Senate term because of term limits.

Ben Brown is the latest guest on the Politically Speaking podcast, where the Washington native talked about his win in the Republican primary for the 26th Senate District.

Brown beat four other GOP candidates in the race to represent a seat that includes part of St. Louis County and all of Franklin, Osage, Warren and Gasconade counties. He will face Democrat John Kiehne in November.

State Rep. Travis Fitzwater is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. He joins St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg to talk about his recent victory of securing the Republican nomination for Missouri's 10th Senate District. Fitzwater faced a tough primary with four Republican opponents. In addition to his own election, Fitzwater shares some of his thoughts on the upcoming November election as well as what he plans to focus on as a Senator.