Get to know: Pam May Democratic Primary Candidate for U.S. Senate District 34

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) --  Pam May is a former teacher, strong advocate for public education and a Democratic candidate for State Senate District 34.

"After the 2024 campaign, I told myself I'm never doing that again," May said. "And then it kind of gets in your blood. I started reading and seeing all of the things coming out of Jefferson City, legislation that is hurting people. A lot of it is only being passed to help a wealthy few. We need someone looking out for the welfare of everyone."

May ran for Congress in 2024 against Sam Graves for the 6th District.

She is a former teacher and spent much of her career working with Legal Aid of Western Missouri.

Now, she volunteers at a local food pantry.

May said her top priority is public education.

She said Missouri is underfunding its public schools while diverting tax dollars to private education. With a projected budget deficit of over $1 billion, the state can't afford that direction.

"We next year anticipate a budget deficit of over $1 billion," May said. "We just don't have the luxury of sending our tax dollars to private education. It needs to go to public education. And that includes teacher pay; we're ranked 49th in the nation."

May's second priority is healthcare.

She wants to fight rising premiums and new work-reporting requirements that she says could cause more Missourians, including children, to lose coverage.

"When people don't have health insurance, it not only hurts them, it hurts all of us," May said. "Right now, just under 8% of children in rural areas aren't covered. That's too many. We have to do something to solve this issue."

Her third priority is data centers.

May said there needs to be a moratorium on new data centers until the state better understands their impact on communities and residents should have more power to say no.

"My campaign slogan is based on the Missouri state motto: 'Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law,'" May said. "That's what I want to do: work for the welfare of all Missourians. The Republican candidates have shown they're not working for the good of everyone. I want to change that."

May's name will appear on the Aug. 4 Primary Election ballot.