Why It Matters
Missouri’s 32nd District Senate race has become a test of how Republican voters view school choice and education policy, with a sitting state senator defending her legislative record against a well-funded primary challenger in an overwhelmingly Republican district.
What Happened
Jill Carter, who won her Missouri state Senate seat in 2022 by unseating incumbent Bill White, faces a Republican primary challenge from Ellen Nichols, a neurosurgeon, ahead of the August 4 election. The contest has centered on school choice legislation that passed the chamber in 2024 by a 19-10 margin.
Nichols, who filed her candidacy with backing from Bill White, has drawn financial support from outside groups emphasizing education policy. The American Federation for Children Inc. ran direct mail and radio advertisements criticizing Carter’s role in the school choice vote, alleging she “walked away” from the measure. Carter voted twice to advance the legislation but was absent for the final passage.
Both candidates have staked out similar positions on other education issues. Each supports statutory bans on critical race theory and DEI programs in Missouri schools. However, their voting records diverge: Carter voted against a 2023 critical race theory ban, while Nichols did not hold elected office at that time.
The 32nd District encompasses Jasper and Newton counties in southwestern Missouri, including Joplin, Carthage, and Neosho. The district is considered heavily Republican. A Democratic candidate, Imma Curl, entered the race in March but faces long odds in the GOP-leaning jurisdiction.
On the campaign trail, Carter framed her position broadly, stating “I think government has ruined education.” Nichols emphasized her background and willingness to leave her medical career, saying “It’s time for me to leave medicine and so for the first time—because I’ve been the primary breadwinner for the family—I’ve been able to have the ability to run for political office.”
By the Numbers
$288,000 — Total funds Nichols raised through June 30
$250,000 — Amount Nichols self-funded from personal resources
$261,000 — Total funds raised by Carter’s campaign committee
$333,000 — Funds raised by Show Me Values PAC supporting Carter
$34,865 — Nichols’ spending on television ads in Joplin market
$51,990 — Carter’s spending on broadcast advertising
$25,000 — Show Me Values PAC spending on advertisements
19-10 — Final vote count on the school choice measure that passed the chamber
Zoom Out
School choice has emerged as a defining issue in Republican primary contests across multiple states, with fiscal and education conservatives increasingly weighing candidates’ voting records on education savings accounts, education tax credits, and related measures. Missouri’s approach mirrors broader national debate over expanding parental options and reducing reliance on traditional public school funding structures.
The involvement of Bill White—the incumbent whom Carter defeated four years ago—adds another dimension to the rematch dynamic. Primary contests in safely Republican districts often hinge on intra-party disagreements over policy priorities and legislative approach rather than partisan affiliation.
What’s Next
The Republican primary will be decided on August 4. Carter and Nichols will compete for the right to face Democratic candidate Imma Curl in November, though the district’s Republican lean makes the general election heavily favor whichever Republican prevails in the primary. Advertising and fundraising activity is expected to intensify through early August.