Democrat Patrice Billings is the latest guest on the Politically Speaking podcast. The St. Charles County resident talked to St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jo Mannies about her bid for Missouri’s 2nd Senatorial District seat.
Billings worked for nearly three decades as a helicopter pilot for the St. Louis County Police Department. She is squaring off against Sen. Bob Onder, a Lake Saint Louis Republican who recorded an episode of Politically Speaking earlier this month.
Billings was the first woman in the country to become a helicopter pilot for a law enforcement agency. She was the chief pilot and certified flight instructor for the Metro Air Support Unit.
While the 2nd District is Republican-leaning, Billings believes the recent rejection of right to work may show that her Democratic candidacy could gain traction. St. Charles County voted overwhelmingly to repeal the policy that bars requiring workers to pay union dues as a condition of employment.
Onder is a strong supporter of the policy — and made the issue a major part of his successful 2014 campaign for the 2nd District seat. Billings is a right to work opponent,
Here’s what Billings had to say during her show:
- She opposes any effort for the legislature to bring a right-to-work measureback up for discussion. “It’s one of those issues that I hear most about,” she said. “That they don’t want it brought up again because they have spoken.”
- She supports a bid to raise the minimum wage to $12 an hour by 2023. It’s something that’s absolutely necessary for families to make it,” she said. Onder has said he opposes that measure, contending it will lead to businesses shedding jobs.
- Billings also endorses legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes. Missouri voters will decide on three different proposals regarding that subject.
- She’s a supporter of abortion rights. Onder, who is a doctor, has been a consistent abortion rights opponent since he first entered the legislature in 2007.
Follow Jason Rosenbaum on Twitter: @jrosenbaum
Follow Jo Mannies on Twitter: @jmannies
Follow Patrice Billings on Twitter: @Billings4Senate
Music: “Estranged” by Guns N’ Roses
