My Representative was in the Capitol Hallway Playing Cornhole...

Instead of on the floor voting to protect contraceptives and IVF.

The vote tally for the Missouri House on an amendment to protect contraceptives and IVF. Photo provided by the Missouri House Democrats.

You know the game, right? You may call it bean bags or bag toss, but everyone I know calls it cornhole. Teams take turns throwing bean bags at a raised board with a hole at the end of the board. The goal of the game is to score points by either landing a bag on the board or putting a bag through the hole.

Cornhole is a midwestern tradition and so is skipping votes important to the women of this state…apparently. 28 Reps were absent for this vote, but at least two were in the Capitol playing cornhole instead of voting.

Below is video of the game being playing in the hallway of the Missouri Capitol by my Representative, Jeff Farnan. Meanwhile, inside on the House floor, Democrats offered an amendment to protect contraceptives and IVF. Abortion is already completely banned in Missouri. It seems Representative Jeff Farnan and his colleague did not vote because they were detained by bean bags.

Video per the Missouri House Democrats. Twitter post, 4/3/2024.

This is the unfortunate outcome for state races that have no opposition. My Rep can do whatever he wants. He can skip votes. He can play cornhole. He can neglect to do his job, because in the end, he will get another free pass to Jefferson City. He has no opponent to hold his feet to the fire.

In 2022, I ran against Representative Jeff Farnan. I lost. And, by all political advice, I should be running again because I am in a district that hasn’t voted in a Democrat in 32 years. This district has never elected a woman. This district is not going to flip in one or even two cycles. It’s going to be a long slog.

But, I couldn’t run again this cycle…my finances couldn’t take it. In the end, I could not find anyone else to run against Jeff Farnan either. I asked. I pleaded. I begged. It didn’t work. He will have no Democratic opposition in November.

The thing that really upsets me about the whole cornhole incident? It’s demeaning to play a game while women’s lives and health are on the line. It’s callous. It’s flippant. It’s the middle finger to every woman in Missouri.

I know this well because I debated Rep Farnan at forums discussing birth control and abortion. I know his stance on women’s issues…one debate in particular stands out.

Just a few weeks before the election, there was a forum in my district. Both Jeff and I attended. We were asked specifically about our positions on abortion. Obviously, I am pro-choice, and predictably, Jeff is pro-birth. Jeff was asked the question about abortion first. Here is his answer in it’s entirety:

“I believe every life is sacred,” he said. “I will do everything I can to support the unborn. A lot of people will say, ‘well, what about rape or incest?’ I still believe that is a baby. I really feel for these mothers that are going through this situation. I could never imagine what they’re going through. But there are a lot of resources out there for them that they could utilize, like The Source in Maryville. They have counseling there, they have adoption options that they can go through.”

You know what stuck in my craw about this answer…besides the obvious part about women and girls just going through the adoption process if they are raped? He said he could “never imagine” what women who have been sexually assaulted go through, but then basically said he didn’t care either. Here was my response:

“I’m glad that Jeff said that he can’t imagine what it’s like to go through, because he can’t,” she said. “Because he’s a man. Because he would be legislating something that he doesn’t understand. I have delivered three children. I have miscarried twice. I understand what it looks like, I understand what it’s like. And I have to say those weren’t babies. And my life is worth more than a miscarriage.

“My youngest child still has to sit in the back seat of the car because she’s too small. But the state of Missouri would mandate a pregnancy on her. These laws impact women. … Why? Because people don’t understand basic biology. Why? Because people try to get in the middle of doctors’ offices. To me, that is insanity. I don’t believe in mandating pregnancy. And I think women have the right to their own bodies.”

Friends, I had to write this post out because I need to show folks what happens in states with uncontested races. I feel guilty about this race going uncontested — financially, I could not possibly run this cycle. Mentally, it’s also a load, but I’ve grown accustomed to that part.

I am absolutely sick every time I see someone post a picture of the state with contested races and see NW Missouri uncontested. I wish I could do more. I wish I could have rounded up a candidate.

I wish my State Representative did his job instead of playing games both on and off the floor. I will say this…my district will be contested next cycle. No matter what I have to do. I can’t stomach this situation again.

We can’t win if we don’t compete. Extremists thrive in this environment. We have to run everywhere.

~Jess