Politics

Republican Congressman Todd Akin and Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill met on stage for their first debate on Friday morning in Columbia. Libertarian candidate Jonathan Dine joined the forum held by the Missouri Press Association.

The candidates for U.S. Senate wasted no time before trading jabs.

Akin criticized McCaskill for the growing national debt, as well as her vote for the Affordable Care Act, which is considerably unpopular in Missouri.

"It's pretty hard to say you're in favor of Medicare when you cut 700 billion from it," Akin said.

In Missouri’s first gubernatorial debate this election season, Republican Dave Spence went on the attack against Democratic Governor Jay Nixon. They were also joined by Libertarian candidate Jim Higgins.

St. Louis businessman Dave Spence made serious allegations that the Governor is in the pocket of labor unions and attorneys.

“Labor unions: 2.3 million. Personal injury attorneys: 2.4," Spence said, rattling off campaign donations for Nixon. "You wanna know who's dictating policy and suffocating our state? There you have it."

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has launched his first critical ad against challenger Dave Spence, citing the businessman's role in a financially troubled bank.

The TV ad that began airing statewide Thursday from the Democratic governor notes that his Republican challenger was on the board of directors of Reliance Bancshares when it decided in early 2011 to forgo repaying a $40 million bailout from the federal government.