KANSAS CITY, Mo. — For the first time, the chair of the Missouri Democratic and Republican parties are being led by women at the same time.
When you think of 2019 politics, it's hard to imagine two people from different political parties having a conversation. Most times you see Twitter wars or nasty comments on Facebook.
“Perhaps we live in a time where we are very uncivil, but we don’t have to be,” said Jean Peters Baker, Jackson County Prosecutor and new chair of the Missouri Democratic Party.
“It is not what our country and it certainly is not what Missouri is,” said Kay Hoflander, new chair of the Missouri Republican Party. Hoflander is also a journalist and small business owner.
Peters Baker and Hoflander both agree there needs to be more civility in politics.
Hoflander is focused on communication and inclusion. She recently created new committees within the state party.
"We really want to reach out to the black community, Hispanic, other minorities, because I think that we are closer than farther apart," she said.
Peters Baker wants more transparency with public officials.
“There needs to be a path for Missourians to request documentation from their office, sunshine needs to flow in, to every one of those offices,” Peters Baker said.
There will always be issues that Republicans and Democrats won’t agree on, such as abortion. But there are things that can bring both sides to the middle, like prison reform and infrastructure.
Hoflander and Peters Baker say they want to set an example and it starts with listening.
"We need to quit sitting behind a computer and we need to talk to people,” Hoflander said.
