Parson, Galloway provide voters sharp contrast in choices

Entering its last full week.

Republican governor mike parson facing a much more difficult challenge for election than many had expected from his democratic challenger, state auditor nicole galloway.

Kq2's alan van zandt sat down with each candidate for one on one interviews.

Over the course of the next week, we'll hear how they stand on some of the issues.

Tonight -- showing some of the stark contract between the two.

<<missouris two candidates for governor offer voters clear contrast.the state's current governor, 65 year old mike parson -- 30 years of public service experience in the u.s. army, law enforcement, the state legislature and as lieutenant governor before taking office two years ago..

(sot: gov.

Mike parson: "i think experience in life, being in the military, being a sheriff, having a little grey hair makes a difference.") and nicole galloway, the current state auditor, at 38 years of age, if elected, she would become one of the state's youngest governors ever and the first female governor.

.(sot: gov.

Candidate nicole galloway: "i am bringing innovation, urgency and a new way of doing things in jefferson city.") much of the campaign between the two has focused on the state's response to the coronavirus, galloway critical of the parson not making the wearing of masks mandatory.

(sot: galloway: "i do support a statewide mask mandate.

It is the most low-barrier way that we can contain the spread of the virus.

I would listen to public health and medical experts.")(sot: gov.

Parson: "i think you have to be real careful when a governor starts using that power and ability.

We've taken a balanced approach to how we've addressed this in missouri since day one.

We've left this up to the local levels, the local health departments, the city councils, the mayors and the county commissioners.")in addition to the pandemic being a public health crisis, covid-19 has wrecked economic hardship.

However, both galloway and parson differ on how missouri is doing.

Parson cites statistics he says shows missouri's unemployment is 5th best in the u.s. and the state ranked 15th in recovery from the coronavirus economic crash.

(sot: parson: "financially, our state is much better off than most of them.

You got to be able to handle a balanced approach to handling the virus, handling the economy and getting kids back in school.

90 percent of our kids are back in classrooms.")(sot: galloway: "we are still in the greatest economic shock since the great depression.

There was a report out last week that showed 70,000 missourians have left the labor force and stopped looking for work.")>>