Amy Minich to appear on ballot for Missouri House District 8

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Amy Minich will appear on the ballot for the first time as a candidate for Missouri House District 8.

Born in Lawson, Missouri, Minich is a longtime member of the Clinton County community. She works as a laborer and is a member of UAW Local 249.

Minich decided to run for District 8 because she felt her voice and her neighbors' voices weren't being heard.

"I decided to put my name in the hat because I was sick and tired of voting and having our votes overturned," she said.

Minich said the underfunding of public education is the biggest issue facing District 8.

"I think that starts with creating policy and making sure that we have a fully funded education system. The formula is created a year in advance," she said. "Having a board that actually has our community in mind, people that are actually teachers on board, would be a good start instead of just having one or two."  

If elected, her top priority is getting the money out of billionaires and politicians in our state.

"That’s the biggest threat to our communities right now. The money that is coming from not only inside but outside of our state that doesn’t work for working people," Minich said. "You have people being suppressed because they have special interests that don’t work for working community."

Minich understands there are healthcare deserts in Missouri, and wants to create policy that benefits the healthcare system.

"Figuring out how to fund the health care system where people have access or to just get access in the first place, is a start," she said.

Abortion will appear on the November ballot. This would repeal Amendment 3, which was passed by voters in 2024. It amended the state constitution, providing for the fundamental right to reproductive freedom, including abortion.

Minich doesn’t believe it’s the obligation of representatives to overturn what the majority has already voted on.

"As someone who has received access to healthcare that saved my life. You can’t tell me my life doesn’t have value, so I’m a huge proponent of when voters vote," she said. "The majority have already voted; we should not be overturning their vote."

For more information about Proposition 3, KQ2’s Noel Hardin breaks down what you need to know about the issue.

Data centers have been a hot topic across the country as well.

According to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, there were roughly 50 data centers established in Missouri by the 2020s.

Minich said if these corporations want to build data centers in the community, they have an obligation to the community.

"I think this starts on a town level where you're connected directly with the community and the impact that it’s going to have needs to be presented to them," she said. "They need to have a say in the policy that is written and whether or not they want to allow that in their community."

Minich said voters should elect her to represent District 8 in Jefferson City because she has committed to advocating for what her community wants.

"The communication between politicians in Jefferson City and the constituents in our community doesn’t happen. I think as a representative of my community, it’s my obligation to truly actually represent them and not assume what they need," she said.

Election Day will be on Tuesday, Nov. 3. To find information on candidates and propositions featured on the ballot, visit KQ2.com/voterguide.