Man whose children say has bigoted views wins Missouri race
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Republican whose children urged people not to vote for him because of what they say are his racist, homophobic and anti-Semitic views narrowly won his primary for a Missouri House seat, just as he did two years ago before losing the general election.
Steve West defeated Adam Richardson on Tuesday by 61 votes, 1,342 to 1,281, according to unofficial election results.
West will face Democrat Maggie Nurrenbern of Kansas City in the race for Missouri House District 15, which covers Gladstone and part of northern Kansas City.
West, a contractor who has a foundation repair business, did not immediately return messages left with his campaign Thursday.
West gained attention after winning the GOP primary in 2018 after his son and daughter denounced his views. He lost to Democratic incumbent Rep. Jon Carpenter, who could not run for reelection this year because of term limits.
Andrew West and his sister said in 2018 that their father was a racist, homophobic and anti-Semitic. The Kansas City Star reported. And last week, some family members distributed a filer urging people not to vote for West because the district would be seen as “bigoted, backward and anti-Semitic” if he won.
Andrew West said Wednesday that his father's views have not changed.
“He says he’s not a white supremacist," Andrew West said Wednesday. "But he’s 100 percent against Jews.”
After West filed to run again in February, Missouri House leaders issued a statement that “West’s abhorrent rhetoric has absolutely no place in the Missouri Republican Party or anywhere.”
Jean Evans, executive director of the Missouri GOP, said Wednesday the party will not offer West any support during his campaign.
Andrew West partly blamed the Missouri GOP for his...