The three Missouri State Senate District 21 candidates — Democrat Jim Bates and Republicans Doug Richey

and Kurtis Gregory — attended The Richmond News’ political forum.

The candidates were asked screened questions submitted by the public and were given two minutes each to provide their answers.

“What initiatives will you support to promote education and job training in high-demand fields?”

Gregory: “So there’s been some legislation that’s moved through. We look at some of the jobs that are out there that are open: critical needs, nurses, doctors, truck drivers, HVAC, plumbers, electricians and people who work with their hands. I really didn’t learn how important that was until I was farming and I had to rely on some high school kids for help. When I went to high school, you were going to college because that’s what you had to do. You had to go get that degree even if you don’t know what you’re going to do with it, but I said that I know I’m not cut out for school, so I’m going to go into …