Former state Rep. Vicki Englund is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where she spoke with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jaclyn Driscoll about her campaign for state treasurer.
Englund is squaring off against Republican state Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick, who recorded an episode of Politically Speaking earlier this month.
Here’s what Englund discussed on the show:
- How Englund, who worked in various capacities within the small business community, wants to use the state treasurer’s office to spur entrepreneurship.
- How she would infuse racial diversity into the treasurer’s office by partnering with historically Black colleges and universities — such as Lincoln University in Jefferson City.
- The 2017 decision to freeze the incentive that provides housing for poor, elderly and disabled Missourians. The state treasurer has a seat on the Missouri Housing Development Commission, which is poised to restart the state low-income housing credit.
- Why her competitive state legislative contests from 2008 to 2016 prepared her well to run for statewide office. She also discussed how during the primary campaign, in which she was unopposed for the Democratic nomination, she supported a ballot item expanding Medicaid — a measure that Fitzpatrick opposed.
Englund is a south St. Louis County native, a graduate of Lindbergh High School and of American University in Washington, D.C. She ventured back to St. Louis County in 2001 to work for the county’s economic development department.
From 2008 to 2016, Englund ran against Republican Cloria Brown for a seat representing portions of south St. Louis County in the Missouri House. Englund prevailed in 2008 and 2012, while Brown won in 2010, 2014 and 2016.
In 2011, between House terms, Englund was elected to the Lindbergh School Board. During her last legislative term from 2013 to 2015, Englund joined a handful of legislators around the state who simultaneously served on their school board.
Follow Jason Rosenbaum on Twitter: @jrosenbaum
Follow Jaclyn Driscoll on Twitter: @DriscollNPR
Follow Vicki Englund on Twitter: @venlund
Music: “Love Has Lead Us Astray” by Thursday