Chris Koster reiterates union support in Springfield as governor's race enters final days
Will Schmitt
WSCHMITT@NEWS-LEADER.COM
Absentee ballots have already been cast in the Nov. 8 election, and with less than two weeks out, Chris Koster indicated that there isn't much he or other candidates could say to sway remaining undecided voters.
Speaking to about a dozen people at the Teamsters Local 245 in east Springfield, the Democratic attorney general hit pro-union notes and thanked volunteers who had gathered to knock on doors and pass out campaign literature.
He also acknowledged that with less than two weeks to go before voters choose between him, Republican Eric Greitens or a third-party candidate, campaign season is wrapping up.
"Basically, the candidates have done everything that we can do at this point," he said. "We've tried to carry the message around this for the last year, and now it's really just up to the voters to get out and get to the polls."
Candidates will continue making appeals to Missourians as they rally their supporters and attempt to woo voters who may be on the fence.
Koster is expected to return to Springfield before the election. He had an appearance scheduled in Kansas City later on Saturday with two fellow Democrats: Secretary of State Jason Kander and U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver.
Greitens is scheduled to appear in Springfield on Sunday with Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, and the former Navy SEAL and nonprofit founder will be back in southwest Missouri on Wednesday, where Greitens and other Republicans running for statewide office will join Sens. Ted Cruz and Roy Blunt.
Recent polls show Koster with a slim lead over Greitens.
According to the American National Election Studies, which analyzes how people vote in presidential elections, four of five voters make up their minds before the last two weeks of the campaign, and almost everyone chooses a candidate before Election Day.
Koster opposes "right-to-work" laws, which weaken unions by prohibiting them from requiring workers to join or pay dues, and the Democrat has received millions of dollars from workers' organizations. Greitens has said he will sign "right-to-work" legislation.
After meeting with volunteers, Koster told reporters he remained focused on preserving workers' existing ability to engage in collective bargaining but said he wouldn't try to expand union powers.