Five candidates are running for Missouri Governor, including an Independent, Libertarian and green party candidate. Democratic Attorney General Chris Koster and Republican and former Navy SEAL Eric Greitens are also running.

Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City

Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City

Independent Lester Turilli Jr. says Missouri should expand Medicaid.

“There’s a funding gap between Obamacare and Medicaid. That is what we are talking about,” says Turilli. “I do believe in expanding Medicaid to cover those folks. I do believe that we should take advantage of some of the federal money for the time being, as long as Obamacare is still in place.”

The Green Party’s Don Fitz wants Medicare for all, not just for those over 65.

“By removing the insurance companies and having Medicare for all, we will actually lower health costs while providing more healthcare. Let’s remember that 90% of Missouri families are only one health disaster away from poverty. Expanding Medicaid and creating Medicare for all will solve that,” says Fitz.

Libertarian Cisse Spragins says Missouri needs a free market in medical care.

“We need to eliminate the problem where businesses can’t buy insurance across state lines. We need to deregulate healthcare. We need to remove licensing requirements to allow more people to practice medical care, especially consumers to choose medical care that’s their choice, not what the government has decided constitutes medical care. We all know Obamacare is a disaster. You just have to look at your health insurance premiums,” says Spragins.

Spragins opposes “Right to Work” legislation that she says would prohibit employers from charging union dues to employees that have a union.

“I support the right to work for any individual for themselves or for any business that wishes to hire them. I’m in favor of voluntary human trade, human contracting and human interaction,” says Spragins. “Human interaction should be voluntary. If businesses want to hire someone they should. If they don’t want to hire someone then they shouldn’t. Conversely, if an employee wants to work for a business, they should. If they don’t wish to, then they shouldn’t. Businesses should be free to contract with employees without government interference.”

Turilli says Right to Work legislation would divide Missouri.

“Here’s the solution, grandfather in all current businesses that are union labor forces right now,” says Turilli. “Let our labor unions keep working in Missouri. For any new business that wants to come to Missouri, starting in 2017, they can be Right to Work.”

Recent polling shows Koster ahead of Greitens by about 16 points.

Due to term limits, Governor Jay Nixon (D) is serving his final year of his eight years.