Adrian Plank faces John Potter in Missouri House District 47

Incumbent Missouri state Rep. Adrian Plank, D-Columbia, is facing a familiar face in his bid for a second term in the state House. Republican John Potter has run twice unsuccessfully for the Columbia School Board. He is now seeking to fill Plank’s seat in Jefferson City in the Nov. 5 election.

“I’m trying to boost the hemp industry in Missouri,” Plank said. “We have a monopolized agricultural system in Missouri, and the Republicans have helped with that, and I think it’s imperative that we have to create a new market for our farmers.”

“I’m in favor of slowly eliminating the income tax,” Potter said. “I think this is a way to give back to everyone in my district and across the state, so I want to phase out that income tax.”

The two candidates have different priorities for a district with very different communities. The southern part of the 47th district includes portions of southwestern Columbia and extends north to the Boone-Randolph county line.

“The one thing about the 47th District is they have several smaller communities,” Plank said. “So, you got it RocheportHarrisburg and Sturgeon. They all have needs.”

Plank was first elected in 2022, following a statewide redistricting. Republican Chuck Basye previously represented the 47th District for eight years.

Potter wants to turn the chair back to red.

“Face to face you win the race, if you want to,” Potter said. “And so that’s what I’ve done… I think with my name recognition, having run for school board twice and having been in politics before, I have a little bit of an advantage… I think I can do that represent both sides of the political spectrum very well.”

Plank said he also supports reaching across the aisle.

“I take a pretty firm stance on ‘I don’t care what party you are,’” Plank said. “If you have needs in your community and there is something I can help the state with, it will help our community.”

The candidates differ in a number of key areas, including education.

Plank rejected from a new law allowing charter schools in Boone County.

“We’re going to try to undo that – at least try,” Plank said. “Because that will cost our public schools $14 to $15 million, and our public education is underfunded to begin with.”

Despite previously running for public school board, Potter said he is not as committed to dedicating education resources entirely to public schools.

“My focus would be to expand the charter schools a little bit,” Potter said. “I think we should also introduce vouchers. I think empowering parents to take control of their children’s education is the best option for parents and students’ education.”