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Maren Bell Jones
Maren Bell Jones (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Missouri House of Representatives to represent District 44. She lost in the general election on November 6, 2018.
Bell Jones completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2018. Click here to read the survey answers.
Elections
2018
General election
Incumbent Cheri Toalson Reisch defeated Maren Bell Jones in the general election for Missouri House of Representatives District 44 on November 6, 2018.
General election
General election for Missouri House of Representatives District 44
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Cheri Toalson Reisch (R) | 56.5 | 8,365 |
 | Maren Bell Jones (D)  | 43.5 | 6,437 | |
| Total votes: 14,802 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Maren Bell Jones advanced from the Democratic primary for Missouri House of Representatives District 44 on August 7, 2018.
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Missouri House of Representatives District 44
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Maren Bell Jones | 100.0 | 2,696 |
| Total votes: 2,696 | |||
| = 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
Incumbent Cheri Toalson Reisch advanced from the Republican primary for Missouri House of Representatives District 44 on August 7, 2018.
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Missouri House of Representatives District 44
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Cheri Toalson Reisch | 100.0 | 2,754 |
| Total votes: 2,754 | |||
| = 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
Maren Bell Jones completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Bell Jones' responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
Truly fully funding education at all levels, expanding Medicaid as we work towards Medicare for All, and promoting good paying local jobs through small business development
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
As a veterinarian with a masters degree in biology, science affects so much in public policy. This includes the environment, science education, healthcare, public health, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
I look up to bold progressives like Bernie Sanders, Tulsi Gabbard, Beto O'Rourke, Jason Kander, Andrew Gillum, Stacey Abrams because they have a bold progressive vision for the future that shares our values of freedom, opportunity, and equality.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
"Dark Money" by Jane Meyer explains my platform about getting dark money out of politics as a major step in the right direction
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Ability to listen, real world experience in both successes and failure, and the ability to admit you don't know everything
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I'm pragmatic yet empathetic and I'm very evidence based. A Missourian through and through, I say "show me!"
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Listening to the people of our district and our region to improve the lives of all its citizens
What legacy would you like to leave?
A legacy of integrity, honesty, and restoration of public trust
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
I went to George WH Bush's inauguration with my parents in 1989 when I was 6 years old as we lived in Washington DC at the time.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
I worked at a grocery store as a checker in high school. I worked there several years off and on during school breaks
What happened on your most awkward date?
I was out with my husband (then boyfriend) and a group of our friends and a new girl to our group of friends did not know we were dating. I think she just thought we were friends. So she was asking me all these questions about what he was like and it was super awkward when finally someone was like, "uh, that's his girlfriend of like 2 years."
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Thanksgiving! I LOVE to cook and the great memories of years past spent with family are wonderful
What is your favorite book? Why?
1984 by George Orwell. It really instilled in me a distinct fear of the rise of authoritarian dictatorships in terms of how our country could go.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
Brienne of Tarth from Game of Thrones. She's just so awesome!
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My three dogs (Fawkes, Arya, and Jackal) and two cats (Walter, Dexter)
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
"Civil War" by Guns n Roses
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
Not always being able to keep quiet and debate with people when I perhaps should!
Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?
We have a very large number of state representatives versus the ratio of state senators. When I have gone to Jeff City on legislative days, I've had people say not to bother talking to the reps and only to the senators because their opinions carry much more weight, which is a bit unfortunate.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
Not necessarily. Fresh, real life perspectives are needed to shake things up a bit and add a bit of levity to the same old same old
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
Our state budget is in terrible shape. This will shape so many decisions for decades to come
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
The governor should be willing to listen to both parties, not just their own, when signing off on legislation
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
Not just beneficial, but essential to getting things done
What process do you favor for redistricting?
As fair and non-partisan as possible.
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
Higher education, agricultural policy, conservation and natural resources, and health care all sound like good possible fits
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
Jason Kander
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
Probably not at this point, but we'll see how this first term goes!
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 am not taking any PAC checks and so I've had people who have not voted in decades because it's so easy to get cynical say they would consider voting for the first time because my stand was very inspirational
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
- State legislative elections, 2018
- Missouri House of Representatives elections, 2018
- Missouri House of Representatives
External links
Footnotes
