Senate Candidates Home | Congressional Map | Senator Claire McCaskill
Senator Claire McCaskill Democrat of Missouri
For U.S Senate in 2012Statistics
Party: Democrat
Born: July 24, 1953
Education: University of Missouri B.A. 1975, JD 1978
Occupation: Jackson County Prosecutor, Assistant Prosecutor Jackson County, Clerk Missouri Court of Appeals
Family: Married - Joseph Shepard, 7 children, 4 grandchildren
Religion: Catholic
Political Career: Missouri House 1983-89; Jackson County Legislature 1991-93; Jackson County prosecutor 1993-99; Missouri auditor 1999-2007; U.S. Senate 2006-present
Committees: Aging, Armed Services, Commerce, Science & Transportation Homeland Security and Government Affairs.
Why Your Support
Claire McCaskill combines fiscal conservatism, progressive ideals and the courage to take on the powerful. She has been a fierce advocate for health care reform, economic stimulus and federal regulations and accountability in the financial services sector. Even though she is from a conservative state, she is an advocate for women’s reproductive rights and stem cell research, includidng embryonic stem cell research that might hold the key to cures for devastating diseases and illnesses. She supports funding for contraception and was a co-sponsor of the Compassionate Care for Servicewomen Act which would guarantee access to emergency contraception for women in the military.
Senator McCaskill is a strong supporter of Israel. She is concerned about Israel’s security needs and believes in its rights to protect itself. She favors the Iran Freedom Support Act which would tighten sanctions on foreign companies that invest in Iran’s energy sector. In her own words, Senator McCaskill characterized the US-Israel alliance saying: “We must continue our economic, diplomatic and military relationship with Israel.”
First term Dem. Sen. Claire McCaskill is one of the GOP’s top targets and is thought to be one of the most vulnerable Democratic senators. This is a top priority race for JAC in a state that has not always been hospitable to our candidates. MCaskill won the first term against all odds. Let's help her win the second.
Background
Missouri is a conservative state. The metro areas are slow growing and only one rural town has more than 150,000 residents. The state has gone from Democratic to leaning Republican from the 60’s to the 90’s and voted for John McCain in 2008. The major races have been decided by very close margins in the last 10 years.
The median income for the state is $44,000, 24% of the residents are college graduates and most of the workers work in private industry.
About The Candidate
Senator McCaskill took on her own party establishment and beat a sitting governor in her race for Senate. She is very well respected because of her background as state auditor. She believes that Congress should adhere to “common sense” rules which include an independent watchdog for the Senate, reforming government-paid foreign travel and asking for 10% of office funds to go back to the treasury. She is a strong opponent of earmarks. She considers herself independent as she often takes votes against the party line. She was one of Barack Obama’s first supporters from the Senate in his race for President.
McCaskill’s race, currently rated as a toss-up, will pit her against a conservative Republican, either Sarah Steelman or Rep. Todd Aiken. The primary is in August. @font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } Steelma, the state Treasurere who recently lost a race for governor, is backed By the Susan B Anthony anti-choice group as well as the Missouri Right to Life. She promises to defund planned parenthood and would repeal the health care law. Rep. Aiken believes that life begins at conception and is against stem cell research. He does not believe that the constitution protects the separation of religion and state. McCaskill is a strong campaigner who will have a tough race regardless of her opponent.
