The candidates
Republican Daniel F. O’Sullivan, Jr., a Wash. U. MBA, will challenge incumbent Stacey Newman.

The issues
O’Sullivan hopes to stimulate economic development in Missouri through tax incentives brought to the state. He plans to eliminate government barriers to new business and will work directly with struggling companies to identify ways for the state to prevent them from exporting jobs or going out of business. Besides the economy, O’Sullivan’s top priorities are health care—he wants to find a system that will cover the uninsured without breaking the system that already covers 85 percent of people—and taxes, where he hopes to rework property tax assessment and enact eminent domain reform.

Newman advocates funding additional Missouri transportation projects throughout the state, including the existing high-speed rail proposals. Her other priorities include education and funding for domestic violence programs and unemployment.

Our take
Newman. Though we like O’Sullivan’s ideas for attracting more business, Newman’s support for mass transit, environmental sustainability and education win our endorsement.