In response to the election night results where Proposition 1 passed overwhelmingly, Barbara Buffaloe was elected as Columbia’s new mayor, Nick Foster was elected to represent Columbia’s 4th Ward, and the Ward 3 election between Karl Skala and Roy Lovelady remains too close to call, Missouri Jobs with Justice issued the following:
“This election is a win for Columbia residents and families who are tired of barely getting by,” explains Caitlyn Adams, Executive Director of Missouri Jobs with Justice. “Voters want to see our local leaders work for the benefit of all of us – not just corporate developers. Electing leaders who are committed and accountable to our communities is a step in the right direction. Our democracy and economy only work if – and when – they work for all of us. Alongside the passage of Proposition 1, we look forward to working with these newly elected leaders to make sure the Neighborhood Pledge they signed goes from promise to reality.”
“As a Columbia resident, I know that we need leaders who care about our community and will make sure we can count on the roads we drive on, the buses we take to work, the pipes that deliver safe, clean water and sanitation,” adds Noelle Gilzow, CMNEA President & CPS teacher. “As a teacher-union leader, I know that all workers deserve to have their voices heard. We call on our elected leaders to support public workers–like teachers, maintenance workers, and library workers–when they try to organize.”
Missouri Jobs with Justice leaders will continue to hold our newly elected leaders accountable and push for a policy agenda that creates a Columbia that works for all of us.
Galen Valdez Sherby, MO JWJ leader, and YDSA member adds “As a Mizzou student, it is easy to be isolated or apart from the bigger Columbia community. I personally had more than 100 conversations with my neighbors over the past seven months. We all agree that we have issues with affordable housing, infrastructure in our neighborhoods, and a transportation system that is not working for most workers I look forward to seeing how our leaders will fulfill their duties and commitments to our communities.”
Since 2018, MOJWJ has invested in Mid-Missouri community organizing and is an anchor of year-round voter engagement throughout the state. MOJWJ, in partnership with local leaders and organizations, hosted a March town hall that was standing room only. More than 125 Columbia residents turned out to hear from mayoral, Ward 3, and Ward 4 candidates. Local residents, including solid waste workers, bus drivers, Daniel Boone Regional Library workers, and community advocates, stepped up to the mic to directly ask the candidates to sign the Neighborhood Pledge. Throughout this election cycle, MO JWJ volunteers knocked on 1,000 doors. MO JWJ enlisted community support to build pressure and true accountability from local leaders. All focused on expanding the electorate by targeting otherwise ignored voters.
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Missouri Jobs with Justice is a statewide grassroots coalition of individuals and faith, labor, student, and community groups building transformative power for social, racial, and economic justice. MO JwJ joined community leaders and residents to create the Neighborhood Pledge and build relationships with our Columbia neighbors. The Neighborhood Pledge outlines the following priorities for meaningful policy and local leadership. This pledge builds on the work started by Columbia leaders and Ward 1 residents who came together to put Columbia’s working families first. Candidates who sign the pledge commit to ensuring their work as an elected official reflects these community priorities, and to work with our communities to advance these priorities.
