Maggie Nurrenbern was elected Tuesday to represent Missouri Senate District 17, a competitive open seat in Clay County.
She had 51% of the vote as of 10 p.m., with 82 of 82 precincts reporting, according to the Clay County Board of Elections. Her Republican opponent, Clay County Presiding Commissioner Jerry Nolte, received 45% of the vote. The totals were close: Nurrenbern received 44,582 votes and Nolte 39,568.
Nurrenbern will fill the vacant seat after Sen. Lauren Arthur, a Democrat, did not run for re-election due to term limits.
District 17 is located in southwestern Clay County and includes parts of Kansas City, North Kansas City, Birmingham, Avondale, Claycomo and Gladstone.
Nurrenbern, a Democrat, represented District 15 in the Missouri House. She was first elected in 2020. Before being elected to the Missouri House, Nurrenbern was a teacher. She taught at North Kansas City High School and University Academy.
During her time in the Missouri House, Nurrenbern sponsored legislation to eliminate taxes on feminine products and diapers. She has long advocated for more gun regulations in the state and supports abortion rights.
Nolte, a Republican, has served on the Clay County Commission since 2015. During his campaign for the Missouri Senate, Nolte expressed support for tax credits for residents, stricter immigration policies, support for law enforcement and more jobs for the working class.
Nolte and Platte County Presiding Commissioner Scott Fricker were among a group of elected officials calling on Mayor Quinton Lucas to retract statements welcoming migrants to Kansas City.
Before being elected to the Clay County Commission, Nolte was a Republican member of the Missouri House of Representatives. He represented District 33 in Gladstone beginning in 2004 and served four consecutive terms.
