Explore every episode of the podcast Politically Speaking

On the latest episode of The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's politics team breaks down how the Blue Wave crashed into Missouri — and provided Missouri Democrats with a lot of optimism going into 2028. Guests include Congressman-elect Fred Wellman, Abortion Action Missouri's Mallory Schwarz and St. Louis County Executive-elect Jake Zimmerman.

On an election preview edition of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Politics Team break down what's at stake on Nov. 3 in Missouri, St. Louis and Illinois. In Missouri, several ballot initiatives could play a huge role in determining public policy on abortion — and the legislature's ability to overturn citizen initiatives.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, Republican 1st District nominee Paul Berry III joins STLPR’s Jason Rosenbaum to talk about his campaign for the St. Louis and St. Louis County-based district. Berry is running against Democratic Congressman Wesley Bell on Tuesday. He’s the underdog in the race, since the 1st District is the most Democratic congressional seat in the state. But he said that there’s value for the GOP to try and make inroads throughout the St. Louis region. “There's no training wheels,” Berry said. “We don't have 246 years for somebody to figure it out.”

Jeff Wilson talks about his campaign in Illinois' 13th Congressional District.

On the latest episode of “Politically Speaking,” state Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick lays out his case that he should have a second term in office with STLPR’s Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg. “And my record, going all the way back to my time as a member of the House, has been that I'm not going to hit pause on criticizing what I view as mismanagement or bad decisions being made,” Fitzpatrick said. The state auditor’s race is the only Missouri statewide contest on the ballot in 2026. Fitzpatrick, who was first elected to his post in 2022, is squaring off against Democrat Quentin Wilson.

U.S Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, talks about her re-election campaign in Illinois' 13th Congressional District.

Missouri Congresswoman Ann Wagner says that President Trump made the right decision to attack Iran, contending that the GOP president needed to prevent that country from procuring a nuclear weapon. And while the Ballwin Republican said on an episode of “Politically Speaking” that she wanted the conflict to end as soon as possible, she defended her ‘no’ votes on War Powers resolutions that sought to curtail Trump’s ability to use military force in Iran. “The president has his Article Two authorities to conduct what he is doing right now with Iran,” Wagner said. “He doesn't need Congress's permission or or non permission. Those are just political throwaway votes that the Democrats try to toss out there on a monthly basis. I'm going to give the president his prerogative in continuing this, to the extent that it takes to make sure that they're not nuclearized, to make sure that they're not attacking American citizens, to make sure that when they chant ‘Death to America,’ that it doesn't have any teeth behind it. “I believe that this will come to a quick end,” she added. Wagner is squaring off against Democrat Fred Wellman to represent Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District, which takes in portions of St. Louis County, St. Charles County and Warren County and all of Franklin County.

Missouri auditor candidate Quentin Wilson said that having a Democrat running the office would make the GOP-controlled state government more accountable. “I think it's really important in a democracy for an independent review of everything the state government does, and that's what an auditor can be,” Wilson said on the “Politically Speaking” podcast.. “A single party cannot police itself.” Wilson is running against Republican incumbent Scott Fitzpatrick, who is seeking a second four-year term. Fitzpatrick has been invited to record an episode of “Politically Speaking.”

The Democratic and Republican nominees for St. Louis County executive agree on a key issue: Missouri’s most populous county is in a dire budgetary situation. During a joint appearance on “The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air,” Democrat Jake Zimmerman and Republican Dennis Hancock both said whoever succeeds St. Louis County Executive Sam Page will have to make hard financial decisions when they’re sworn into office next year. STLPR's Rachel Lippmann and Jason Rosenbaum posed questions to the two candidates.

Republican David Messner discusses his candidacy for St. Louis County assessor.

Democrat Fred Wellman says he has what it takes to finally unseat GOP Congresswoman Ann Wagner. Wellman said Wagner was wrong to support the Iran War, adding that President Donald Trump didn’t have a firm strategy or reasoning for starting the conflict. “A lot of people hate us in the world, but if we attack every single person who hates us, we're going to be at war forever and ever and ever,” he said. “And what bothers me in the end is how many people make these decisions who don't actually have skin in the game in any way.”

On a special edition of Politically Speaking, STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum talks with former Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey about his decision to step down as co-deputy director of FBI, his political future, and news reports that he didn't get along with FBI Director Kash Patel.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, Democratic St. Charles County Executive nominee David Veneziano talks with STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum about why his campaign is gaining traction in the traditionally GOP county — and his opinions on some of the big issue affecting the fast-growing county.

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Sarah Kellogg joins the show to talk about the big takeaways from the nearly yearlong Missouri redistricting saga. Later in the program, Kalshi's Nicole Kagan talks about why she feels prediction markets aren't the same as sportsbook.

Outgoing House Speaker Jon Patterson joins Politically Speaking to talk about his campaign to become the next state senator for Missouri's 8th Senate district. The Lee's Summit Republican speaks with St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum about his candidacy, the possibility of future legislation on technology like Flock cameras and his opinions on the November ballot issues.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, Democrat Jeff Abney talks with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum about his bid for Missouri’s 22nd Senatorial District. The 22nd District is an open race this year since Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, R-Arnold, is not running for reelection. Abney is running against former Republican state Rep. Jim Avery. Avery has also been invited to appear on Politically Speaking.

Missouri House Rep. Keri Ingle joins the show to talk about her candidacy for the 8th District in the Missouri Senate. If Ingle were to win, Democrats would need to flip one more seat to break the Republican supermajority. Ingle speaks with St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum to talk about education funding, the state's Children's Division and her thoughts on some of the November ballot items.

Missouri State Rep. Melanie Stinnett returns to Politically Speaking to discuss her candidacy for Missouri's 30th state Senate district. Stinnett speaks with St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum about her dedication to helping Missourians with disabilities, what she wants to prioritize in future Missouri budgets and her support of Amendment 3.

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, Saint Louis University's Steven Rogers talks about new polling showing Donald Trump underwater in the latest SLU/YouGov poll. SLU's Michael Wolff talks about GOP threats to the Missouri Supreme Court over redistricting. And STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum takes a look at the impending fight over Amendment 3 in Missouri.

Missouri State Rep. Betsy Fogle joins St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum to talk about her candidacy for Missouri's 30th Senate District.

On the latest Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, we break down the Missouri Supreme Court's historic decision to place a redistricting referendum on the November 2026 ballot – and how, at least for now, it foils a national GOP effort to oust Democratic Congressman Emanuel Cleaver. People Not Politicians' Richard von Glahn and Secretary of State Denny Hoskins join the show. And later in the program, STLPR's Sarah Kellogg talks about how the Wednesday hearings gave a strong hint of the high court's intentions.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum talks with 6th Congressional District Democratic nominee Josh Smead about his race against Republican Chris Stigall – and the issues he says are important to the North Missouri-based district. Smead also talked about why national Democrats should pay attention to the race, especially if a congressional map from 2025 is used in the general election.

Missouri state Rep. Raychel Proudie emerged victorious in one of the most competitive state Senate primaries of the 2026 election cycle. During a recent appearance on the “Politically Speaking” podcast, the Ferguson Democrat said if elected in November she plans to play a major role in policy debates over education and the future of the 1st Congressional District. She also wants to bolster penalties for police officers who misuse Flock cameras, which have faced bipartisan furor in Missouri after a St. Charles County Police Department employee used it for a non-law enforcement purpose.

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin discusses the broken federal campaign finance system – and some ideas on how to make it work better. The Missouri Independent's Steph Quinn joins the program to talk about caseload issues in Children's Division. And STLPR's Sarah Kellogg details how the Missouri GOP is feeling after the massive failures of Amendments 4 and 5.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway talks about lawsuits over a redistricting referendum and the Respect Missouri Voters plan. The GOP official also talks about her push to curtail VLTs and her impressions of the St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners.

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Sarah Kellogg and Rachel Lippmann break down Tuesday's primary election results – including the massive failures of Amendments 4 and 5 and Congressman Wesley Bell's big re-election victory in the state's 1st Congressional District.

Former Missouri state Rep. Hannah Kelly, who is running for the Rolla-based 16th Senate District seat, is strongly opposed to legalizing and regulating video gaming machines that are often found in gas stations, convenience stores and fraternal organizations. “I do not want these machines in our gas stations easily accessible to our children,” she said. Kelly decided to initially run for office because she felt there was a great disconnect between her generation and people serving in the legislature.

On a special edition of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum previews the upcoming August 4th Missouri primary with STLPR reporters Rachel Lippmann and Sarah Kellogg. The journotrio talk about the impact of Amendments 4 and 5 on state legislative elections; the St. Louis County executive contest; and the impact of a redistricting referendum on upcoming elections.

State Rep. Don Mayhew is one of three major Republican candidates running for the 16th Senatorial District seat. The Crocker Republican joins STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum and Jonathan Ahl on the latest episode of Politically Speaking to talk about his campaign and why voters of the Rolla area district should elect him over Bill Hardwick and Hannah Kelly.

For years, the Missouri Senate has been ground zero for some of the fiercest battles – often driven by personal animosity between legislators. For state Rep. Bill Hardwick, being able to bring consensus to difficult policy fights is a big reason why he says Republican voters in Missouri’s 16th Senate District should choose him on Aug. 4. “I can just really drill down and analyze these subjects in detail, really complex, really abstract problems,” Hardwick said on the “Politically Speaking” podcast. “I can deal with people, help them solve problems, and try to apply these ethereal concepts to real people's lives. That's my kind of draw to politics.”

Joan VonDras believes that if Democrats are going to beat Congresswoman Ann Wagner in the fall, they’ll have to stretch past their comfort zone. VonDras, a former educator at the Clayton and Parkway School districts, and Fred Wellman are the major contenders in the 2nd Congressional District Democratic primary. VonDras has been holding town halls throughout the 2nd District, which includes a number of GOP-leaning areas like Jefferson, Franklin and Gasconade counties. She said the winner of the Aug. 4 primary Democratic primary can’t win in November without appealing to Republicans and independents. “There are plenty of people that want to put country above party, and those are the people we need to tap into,” VonDras said during an appearance on the “Politically Speaking” podcast.

With less than two weeks to go before voters in St. Louis and St. Louis County decide their nationally-watched race, Congressman Wesley Bell and Cori Bush clashed in an intense joint appearance Friday. The two Democrats got into tense exchanges about their campaign finance donations and spending during an appearance on “The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air.”

Democrat David Bryant is one of two candidates seeking the party’s nomination for St. Louis County prosecuting attorney. The winner will face a Libertarian candidate in November.

The Democrat is one of two candidates seeking the party’s nomination for St. Louis County prosecuting attorney. The winner will face a frequent Libertarian candidate in November.

Tim Whitney had always wanted to be in law enforcement. And he achieved his goal by working his way up to being the second-in-command at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department. But after a number of years of overseeing day-to-day operations for the agency, Whitney is making the transition to politics by running for Jefferson County executive — something he said is a continuation of his public service and his love for his home county. “I love Jefferson County,” Whitney said on St. Louis Public Radio’s “Politically Speaking.” “As I say that, I can hear listeners gasping or rolling their eyes because that's a political answer. As somebody who has been in law enforcement my whole life… When I said those words, they were taken at face value. The day you become a politician, there's a sense of skepticism that applies to that. And there should be because of the things politicians before have done.” Whitney is running against John Stockton in the GOP primary on Aug. 4. The winner will be the heavy favorite to succeed Jefferson County Executive Dennis Gannon, who is not running for re-election.

The St. Louis County Democrat is one of two candidates seeking his party’s nomination to replace Jake Zimmerman, who hopes to be the next St. Louis County executive.

John Stockton has never run for political office before. But when incumbent Jefferson County Executive Dennis Gannon decided not to run for another term, he thought the time had come in his life to enter the political arena. Stockton, who operates several businesses in Jefferson County, said his motivation for jumping into the GOP primary is about giving back to the place that he’s called home for almost all of his life. “There comes a point in time where it's not about titles or positions anymore,” Stockton said. “It's about ultimately giving back to the county that's given me everything.” Stockton is running in the Aug. 4 Republican primary against Tim Whitney, who is the undersheriff for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department. Stockton said that he’s knocked on over 5,000 doors and is hearing a desire for the county government to be more service oriented.

The St. Ann Democrat is one of two candidates seeking his party’s nomination to replace Jake Zimmerman, who hopes to be the next St. Louis County executive.

The Democrat from Florissant is one of three seeking the party’s nomination to replace Sam Page. The winner of the August primary will face Republican and Green party candidates in November.

The Democrat from Olivette is one of three seeking the party’s nomination to replace Sam Page. The winner of the August primary will face Republican and Green party candidates in November.

The Democrat from University City is one of three seeking the party’s nomination to replace Sam Page as County Executive. The winner of the August primary will face Republican County Councilman Dennis Hancock, R-Fenton, in November.

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 will decide on.

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 Hour host Jason Rosenbaum asks a very, very important question: What makes someone a Missourian?

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 everything that my team has been able to accomplish over the last 20 years,” Ehlmann said on “Politically Speaking.”

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.