Data Centers

Voters should be informed that Gina Mitten has indicated she believes there are locations in St. Louis where data centers could be built. Given increasing public interest in land use, economic development, and infrastructure projects, this issue may resonate with voters depending on how the campaign chooses to frame it and should be supported with any public statements or documentation when used in campaign communications. “Do I think that there are places that — that a data center could go in the city? Sure.” - Gina Mitten https://www.stlpr.org/podcast/politically-speaking/2026-07-09/mitten-says-shes-ready-to-represent-st-louis-and-the-county-in-4th-senate-district

Gina Mitten's Attendance Record

All voters should learn that Gina Mitten missed more than nine hundred legislative votes during her time as a state representative, including votes involving prevailing wage, Medicaid and health care, education, public safety, utility rates, and other issues affecting working families. Supporters of Steve Butz argue that Missouri deserves a state senator who consistently shows up, participates, and represents the people who elected them. Campaign communications should reinforce Steve's record of engagement and leadership in the legislature.

Public Safety & Gun Safety

Voters need to know that Steve Butz has consistently supported common-sense gun safety measures. Supporters point to his support for banning high-capacity magazines, raising the minimum age to purchase firearms to twenty-one, expanding background checks, and implementing red-flag laws designed to keep firearms out of the hands of individuals who pose a danger to themselves or others. These messages should target suburban voters, women, and parents who consistently rank public safety among their top priorities.

Education

Parents, educators, and voters throughout the district need to know that Steve Butz has been a strong advocate for Missouri's public schools. Supporters point to his vote to help pass one of the largest investments in public education in decades, including one of the largest teacher pay raises in a generation, while improving the state's school funding formula. Campaign communications should emphasize Steve's commitment to continuing to increase funding for public education and ensuring teachers have the resources they need to help every student succeed.

Cost of Living

Polling consistently shows inflation and the cost of living remain the top concerns for voters. Campaign messaging should reinforce Steve Butz's focus on making everyday life more affordable for Missouri families by opposing policies that would increase costs on working people and supporting investments that strengthen families, schools, and communities.

Republican Primary Crossover Voters

Republican voters participating in the Democratic primary consistently identify crime and public safety as one of their top issues. Campaign communications targeted toward these voters should highlight Gina Mitten's public defense of former Kim Gardner. Critics point to Mitten's statement that Gardner had "behaved as well as any circuit attorney should ever behave" and argue she continued defending Gardner as concerns surrounding the prosecutor's office grew. They contend this reflects poor judgment on matters of public safety and question whether that judgment is appropriate for service in the Missouri Senate. Campaign messaging should present this contrast while directing interested voters to the underlying public statements supporting the claim.