Karen Spalding

Karen Spalding earned a high school diploma from Midway High School. She attended Highland Community College and earned a bachelor's degree from Washburn University in 1988. Her career experience includes working as a music teacher.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

After years of going to the polls only to find one candidate choice on the ballot for District #19, I felt compelled to offer the people in my district a choice. I am that right choice for District #19.

Graduating from Midway High School, Denton, Kansas. I continued my education on scholarship from Highland Community College followed by Washburn University, Topeka, Ks. where I was a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Honor Choir, Orchestra, and Band. I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1988, all while raising a family.

I have had continued employment in Northeast Kansas public and private schools as a classroom teacher, band and/or vocal instructor. Moving to Kansas City, I taught elementary music, 4th or 6th Grades.

This year, I was chosen as President of the Missouri Association of Republicans. My other activities include singing with the Kansas City Symphony Chorus, member of the worship team at Blue Springs Christian Church, Jamaica VBS Mission Secretary, member of the Jackson County Republican Committee, and member of MNEA and AFT teacher unions. I like to garden, read, and swim.

After years of experience in education and community service, this widowed grandmother of 8, mother of 4, is running for office to work toward providing a promising future for my family and yours. A vote for me is a vote for the voices of Kansas City, District #19 to be heard in Jefferson City.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Being an educator for 37 years, I am interested in promoting the American values we find in our national constitution-- that no citizen should be deprived of life, liberty or property. Therefore, I will work to lower taxes and cap property taxes to help Missourians to keep what they have worked so hard for. I will work to restrict foreign investors to ensure economic growth for Missouri's small businesses.As a retired teacher, it should be no surprise that one of my goals would be to strive for excellence in education. I have had the privilege to teach at the secondary and elementary levels. I have taught regular classes. As a support teacher I taught band, choir, or general music and homeschooled students privately.

There are pros and cons to each type of schooling. I am not supporting any type of schooling over another but I am supporting school choice. For any student to be truly successful and work up to their potential, they must feel safe and see that the parent cares what is happening with their education. Giving the parents a choice is a first step in parent involvement.There needs to be clarity on what is happening with immigration. Much of my district is Hispanic. They want closed borders because many have lived in worry and fear for their families outside the US. That's why they desire to cross over to a better life.

So, yes, let's close the borders. Yes, if you are illegal and commit crimes, you should be shipped back to your original country. But what about the illegals who are being responsible. Shouldn't they be given a choice and a path that would lead to becoming legal tax paying citizens?

Until they do become citizens, they should have our protection. But only citizens with valid government ID's should have the right to vote.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am an advocate for states' rights.

For example, in 2016 (under Obama's administration) and 2024 (under Biden's administration), the federal government issued guidelines interpreting Title IX to mean that denying transgender students access to facilities matching their gender identity constitutes sex discrimination. What a mess that has made.

The whole federal insurance situation has made it so difficult for small businesses, and middle income taxpayers. I would work to improve the health care situation for doctors as well as patients, if I am elected.

I would advocate for taxpayers that have to fund situations that are against their consciences.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Right to Life

Jackson County Republican Committee

Karen Spalding did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Karen Spalding did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.