Carolyn McGowan
Carolyn McGowan (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Missouri State Senate to represent District 32. She lost in the general election on November 6, 2018.
McGowan completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2018. Click here to read the survey answers.
Elections
2018
- See also: Missouri State Senate elections, 2018
General election
Bill White defeated Carolyn McGowan and Conon Gillis in the general election for Missouri State Senate District 32 on November 6, 2018.
General election
General election for Missouri State Senate District 32
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Bill White (R) | 73.7 | 48,412 |
Carolyn McGowan (D)  | 23.1 | 15,140 | ||
 | Conon Gillis (G) | 3.2 | 2,117 | |
| Total votes: 65,669 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Carolyn McGowan advanced from the Democratic primary for Missouri State Senate District 32 on August 7, 2018.
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Missouri State Senate District 32
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Carolyn McGowan | 100.0 | 5,119 | |
| Total votes: 5,119 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Bill White defeated Rob O'Brian in the Republican primary for Missouri State Senate District 32 on August 7, 2018.
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Missouri State Senate District 32
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Bill White | 64.2 | 17,478 |
| Rob O'Brian | 35.8 | 9,765 | ||
| Total votes: 27,243 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Carolyn McGowan completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by McGowan's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
1. Education 2. Healthcare 3. Equality;1. Education 2. Healthcare 3. Equality
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
All three of above plus I am a strong supporter of unions. My father (union organizer of American Federation of Radio Announcers) taught me that unions were the voice of labor in capitalism and without them, labor would be exploited.;All three of above plus I am a strong supporter of unions. My father (union organizer of American Federation of Radio Announcers) taught me that unions were the voice of labor in capitalism and without them, labor would be exploited.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
Historically I look up to Abraham Lincoln. If I had lived during the Civil War, I would have been a Republican. The parties have completely switched since that time. My current hero is Bernie Sanders. I was a Bernie Sanders stage delegate in 2016.;Historically I look up to Abraham Lincoln. If I had lived during the Civil War, I would have been a Republican. The parties have completely switched since that time. My current hero is Bernie Sanders. I was a Bernie Sanders stage delegate in 2016.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
Currently, my favorite film is TRUMBO. It explains the danger of limiting freedom of political thought. When I was young my parents kept me home from school to watch the McCarthy hearings. It had a huge impact on my political beliefs.;Currently, my favorite film is TRUMBO. It explains the danger of limiting freedom of political thought. When I was young my parents kept me home from school to watch the McCarthy hearings. It had a huge impact on my political beliefs.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Honesty and transparency.;Honesty and transparency.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I have a long resume of public service.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
I should represent the views of my constiuents. Unfortunately, the majority in my district are Republican so it would be my repsonsibility to convince them that my voiting actions are justified.;I should represent the views of my constiuents. Unfortunately, the majority in my district are Republican so it would be my repsonsibility to convince them that my voiting actions are justified.
What legacy would you like to leave?
I would like to encourage young people to run for office.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
The election of Harry Truman and Tom Dewey. My parents taught me to say, "Phewey on Dewey.";The election of Harry Truman and Tom Dewey. My parents taught me to say, "Phewey on Dewey."
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
My high school jobs don't really count. I have been a teacher all of my life..both public and private.;My high school jobs don't really count. I have been a teacher all of my life..both public and private.
What happened on your most awkward date?
This is a strange question, but my most awkward date was when he ordered anchoves on his pizza and I decided to not date him again.;This is a strange question, but my most awkward date was when he ordered anchoves on his pizza and I decided to not date him again.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Thanksgiving?because it is a truly American holiday. I love all of the food and seeing all of my family.
What is your favorite book? Why?
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD?It presents the horror of bigotry.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
Atticus Finch in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD;Atticus Finch in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My Frank Sinatra collection of every song he recorded. I adore his voice and selection of songs.;My Frank Sinatra collection of every song he recorded. I adore his voice and selection of songs.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
HIGH HOPES by Frank Sinatra;HIGH HOPES by Frank Sinatra
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
Being married to a Republican for 25 years. We are still married (54 years), but he finally became a Democrat during the Reagan administration.
Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?
Senators have a larger population to represent.;Senators have a larger population to represent.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
Yes.;Yes.
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
Missouri needs to continue to turn down RIGHT TO WORK. We also need to increase the number of school days required. We are the lowest in the nation for required school days.;Missouri needs to continue to turn down RIGHT TO WORK. We also need to increase the number of school days required. We are the lowest in the nation for required school days.
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
The legislature should make laws and the governor should enforce these laws.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
Yes, the only way to accomplish anything is the ability to "cross the aisle".;Yes, the only way to accomplish anything is the ability to "cross the aisle".
What process do you favor for redistricting?
They are currently too confusing in Missouri. House districts need to be in one Senate district and not in several.;They are currently too confusing in Missouri. House districts need to be in one Senate district and not in several.
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
Educational curriculum.;Educational curriculum.
If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?
Healthcare;Healthcare
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
Democrat Socialist?Bernie Sanders Republican?John McCain;Democrat Socialist?Bernie Sanders Republican?John McCain
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
Perhaps, but at my age, I should instead encourage young people to run for office.;Perhaps, but at my age, I should instead encourage young people to run for office.
Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?
I'm sorry this is late. I do not do well with on-line questionnaires. My touching moments recently are young people and teachers asking for more gun regulations. They fear for their lives.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
External links
Footnotes
