Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
we, my bf and I, are looking to relocate to Jefferson City. We would be coming from Southern CA. We have both lived in multiple states before CA and are looking for a friendly rural area.
He has work there
Jefferson City is a government town (state capitol). It's a beautiful place, for the most part. It hasn't changed much over time. It's very conservative, probably more so than anywhere in California.
Jefferson City is a government town (state capitol). It's a beautiful place, for the most part. It hasn't changed much over time. It's very conservative, probably more so than anywhere in California.
Yea, that's the odd thing. Most state capitals tend to be liberal areas in most states. Of course if you go 20 miles north it's more moderate but then again you have Mizzou in Boone County.
But Missouri really only has two big liberal areas and then Boone County which can be swing area at times. Democrats have taken a slaughtering the last few years outside of the KC and stl metro areas.
Democrats in outstate Missouri can be just as conservative as Republicans. There is an ultra-conservative group that seems to be gaining ground in outstate and the cities are somewhat, but not tremendously liberal. My experience of living in Jefferson City for 35 years is that you will find a little bit of everything. There are Fat Cats and Granola Eaters and some in between. It is a largely Roman Catholic community but mainline Protestant churches are pretty strong. There is a small Lutheran high school and a large Catholic high school for example. It is mostly an old German community which strongly reflects the population of the counties to the east and southeast. A lot of people are related as in many small towns. It has a historically black university, Lincoln University, that has a nationally prominent track and field team (Jamaican runners have attended LU in the past). The school, founded by black Union soldiers, adds something to the cultural life of the town, has a strong agriculture focus, and serves the local population as much as its traditional black students. JC is a pretty town on the Missouri River bluffs and walkable in many neighborhoods and there are a couple historic districts. Bicyclists complain about the hills. The state government and the university tend to keep the local economy from going into extremes. I moved away a few years ago and have heard from friends that the economy has taken a hit but I've not heard any details or if it is worse than anyplace else. Being close to Columbia/MU and the Lake of the Ozarks offers some recreational opportunities beyond hat a small town would usually have. It is a pretty good place to raise kids but they will probably leave when adults -- but some come back to raise their own kids there.
Democrats in outstate Missouri can be just as conservative as Republicans. There is an ultra-conservative group that seems to be gaining ground in outstate and the cities are somewhat, but not tremendously liberal. My experience of living in Jefferson City for 35 years is that you will find a little bit of everything. There are Fat Cats and Granola Eaters and some in between. It is a largely Roman Catholic community but mainline Protestant churches are pretty strong. There is a small Lutheran high school and a large Catholic high school for example. It is mostly an old German community which strongly reflects the population of the counties to the east and southeast. A lot of people are related as in many small towns. It has a historically black university, Lincoln University, that has a nationally prominent track and field team (Jamaican runners have attended LU in the past). The school, founded by black Union soldiers, adds something to the cultural life of the town, has a strong agriculture focus, and serves the local population as much as its traditional black students. JC is a pretty town on the Missouri River bluffs and walkable in many neighborhoods and there are a couple historic districts. Bicyclists complain about the hills. The state government and the university tend to keep the local economy from going into extremes. I moved away a few years ago and have heard from friends that the economy has taken a hit but I've not heard any details or if it is worse than anyplace else. Being close to Columbia/MU and the Lake of the Ozarks offers some recreational opportunities beyond hat a small town would usually have. It is a pretty good place to raise kids but they will probably leave when adults -- but some come back to raise their own kids there.
Btw regarding Lutherans, why are most of the Lutherans in Missouri very conservative but in MN for example they're pretty liberal? Granted, MN is a northern state and MO is a border state which plays a big role in politics but I find that interesting.
You're correct about Democrats, but that was in the past a few years back.
Those conservative democrats mostly in Jefferson County, and in Ste. Gen have now been replaced by Republicans. Although they don't differ much because the Stl metro Republicans who replaced those are still pro labor usually and side with Republicans on rest of the issues.
Currently the only conservative Democrat left in Jefferson City is Ben Hill of Jefferson County. He is also only 1 of 4 democrats who stuck by their vote on SB656 in 2016 and voted to override Jay Nixon on constitutional carry.
If you're anti gun in Jefferson County you stand no chance. I think it was in 2013 that federal gun law nullification bill that Jay Nixon vetoed and the override failed by ONE vote. I recall Ryan McKenna sat out the override and gave his reasoning. Then the election next year Jeff Roorda who was the favorite due to his name recognition ended up losing by 8 points. I think that ticked off some voters and they paid the democrats back that way.
I don't see the Democrats doing a lot this election. I think the Republicans will hold onto 24 senate seats. The only seat that might get a run is Ceirpoits seat that he won in the special election against Hillary Shields. The republicans were freaking out because Turk ran and could take votes away but he still won by a comfortable margin despite him. Weiland should win re-election since he supports labor unions and Kehoe's vacant seat is a Republican safe seat.
Over on the house side Republicans will hold at least 110 seats I think. There are more democrats running for house seats so I expect a few of them in urban areas might flip.
The good thing is it sounds like Claire McCaskill will vote against Kavanaugh. If so then Hawley just won the election probably and will get more Republican turnout. The liberal press is in full freakout mode right now regarding McCaskill.
As a Republican I hope she votes against him and that vote is the deciding vote that denies him. The reason why this is because then that will backfire BIG time on her. She loses the election, Republicans pick up a seat and then Trump can simply nominate another right leaning judge or him again and then easily get them confirmed, and McCaskill is gone.
Btw regarding Lutherans, why are most of the Lutherans in Missouri very conservative but in MN, for example, they're pretty liberal? Granted, MN is a northern state and MO is a border state which plays a big role in politics but I find that interesting.
Lutheranism in Missouri has an interesting history. There are essentially two Lutheran denominations in Missouri. The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS) had its origins in Perry County after a mass migration "Old Lutherans" out of Germany and settlement in Missouri in 1839. The LCMS is conservative and the church places a great deal of emphasis and authority on dogmatic conformity with the 1580 Book of Concord. LCMS is dogmatically conservative -- maybe more so than many members in actual practice. (LCMS is not the most conservative Lutheran denomination.) The church leadership took a decidedly stronger conservative stance in the late 1960s mostly regarding teaching at the seminaries and there was a schism among theologians and professors and many of them, along with a large group of parish churches, left the LCMS and eventually joined a more liberal Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The two denominations seem very different today and the differences that brought on the schism still exist although, in Missouri, the churches have a fairly common origin. ELCA is considerably more liberal than LCMS on several issues. They are not in communion with each other but there is some cooperation. ELCA has grown to be the largest Lutheran denomination in the US while LCMS is the second largest.
There was also a German Evangelical church denomination that grew out of various European protestant groups (including some Lutherans) and also started in Missouri in 1840. It developed into the Evangelical and Reformed denomination. It is now known as the United Church of Christ (UCC), with many congregations centered around St. Louis. It is somewhat more liberal but there is probably more variation among churches and less dogmatic conformity because it was sort of a melting pot of different groups.
All three of these "German" Protestant denominations have a strong presence in Jefferson City. I had relatives in all three denominations in Missouri who would occasionally change membership from one to the other without any real concerns. The liberal/conservative labels are more modern.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MOforthewin
You're correct about Democrats....
Politics in Missouri is even more twisted and convoluted than religion. Having worked with legislators for many years I'm sure the best thing that could happen for Missouri politics is to have the legislature go back to meeting once every two years as it did when I was a kid. The major split in the state is between rural and urban politicians and the party is often secondary.
Lutheranism in Missouri has an interesting history. There are essentially two Lutheran denominations in Missouri. The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS) had its origins in Perry County after a mass migration "Old Lutherans" out of Germany and settlement in Missouri in 1839. The LCMS is conservative and the church places a great deal of emphasis and authority on dogmatic conformity with the 1580 Book of Concord. LCMS is dogmatically conservative -- maybe more so than many members in actual practice. (LCMS is not the most conservative Lutheran denomination.) The church leadership took a decidedly stronger conservative stance in the late 1960s mostly regarding teaching at the seminaries and there was a schism among theologians and professors and many of them, along with a large group of parish churches, left the LCMS and eventually joined a more liberal Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The two denominations seem very different today and the differences that brought on the schism still exist although, in Missouri, the churches have a fairly common origin. ELCA is considerably more liberal than LCMS on several issues. They are not in communion with each other but there is some cooperation. ELCA has grown to be the largest Lutheran denomination in the US while LCMS is the second largest.
There was also a German Evangelical church denomination that grew out of various European protestant groups (including some Lutherans) and also started in Missouri in 1840. It developed into the Evangelical and Reformed denomination. It is now known as the United Church of Christ (UCC), with many congregations centered around St. Louis. It is somewhat more liberal but there is probably more variation among churches and less dogmatic conformity because it was sort of a melting pot of different groups.
All three of these "German" Protestant denominations have a strong presence in Jefferson City. I had relatives in all three denominations in Missouri who would occasionally change membership from one to the other without any real concerns. The liberal/conservative labels are more modern.
Politics in Missouri is even more twisted and convoluted than religion. Having worked with legislators for many years I'm sure the best thing that could happen for Missouri politics is to have the legislature go back to meeting once every two years as it did when I was a kid. The major split in the state is between rural and urban politicians and the party is often secondary.
The rural Democrats you talked about being more conservative is similar to Kentucky and West Virginia was. Missouri completed its flip from rural Democrats to mostly Republicans in 2002. Kentucky finally did two years ago and West Virginia about 4 years ago. Those democrats too were usually pro gun and anti abortion except that they're pro labor.
Some thing KY house might flip back to Democrat due to the pension issue and the teachers and many disliking governor Bevin.
The problem with meeting every two years it's harder to get stuff done. Texas does the two year plan. It's harder to get pro gun stuff passed that way. Like Texas can't get permit less carry passed like Missouri did in 2016.
We are visiting JC in April, looking to move in June. It sounds like it is hilly, bluffs, and on the Missouri River. Would you call it rural or City? We need a good senior center and ongoing education for our grandson with Aspergers. He has a passion for graphics art and design. I see there is a university, community college, and tech school that includes graphic arts. We have raised him as an infant on, and he is 18 in May and in 11th grade. He loves the idea there are 3 bowling lanes there. Thank you for letting me piggy back on this thread.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.