As a conservative woman born and raised in Missouri, I have always been proud to call myself a Republican. Our party has traditionally stood for values I hold dear: limited government, personal responsibility, strong national defense and respect for individual liberties. However, this election, I am making a choice that might surprise many of my fellow Republicans: I am voting for Kamala Harris.

Recently, a group called Republicans for Harris announced their support for the Harris’ presidential campaign, citing the urgent need to protect our democracy from the threat posed by Donald Trump. Their stance resonates deeply with me. As someone who loves Missouri and has cherished our state’s values of decency and integrity, I feel compelled to stand up for what is right, even if it means crossing party lines.

Initially, many of us believed Trump’s unconventional style would shake up the establishment in a beneficial way. But over the years, it has become clear that his disregard for democracy and decency is a threat to the very fabric of our country.

Trump’s behavior during his presidency, and particularly his actions surrounding the events of Jan. 6, have shown a blatant disregard for the rule of law and the peaceful transfer of power — principles that are the cornerstone of our republic. The violent insurrection at the Capitol was not just an attack on a building; it was an attack on our democratic institutions and processes. As a Republican who values our Constitution, I cannot support a leader who incites violence and undermines our electoral system.

Moreover, Trump’s divisive rhetoric has torn at the seams of our national unity. His frequent attacks on anyone who disagrees with him, including fellow Republicans, and his relentless spread of misinformation have sown discord and mistrust. Instead of bringing Americans together, he has driven us further apart. This is not the leadership our country needs.

Vice President Harris, in contrast, represents a commitment to democracy, decency and unity. Her career as a public servant demonstrates a dedication to justice and equality. While I may not agree with all her policies, I believe she respects our democratic institutions and would work to heal the divisions that have deepened under and after Trump’s presidency.

Harris has shown a capacity for bipartisanship and a willingness to listen to different perspectives — qualities essential for leading a diverse and divided nation. Her background as a prosecutor and U.S. senator reflects her commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice for all Americans.

As conservatives, we must ask ourselves what it truly means to uphold our values. Is it about unwavering loyalty to a single individual, or is it about protecting the principles that make our country strong? I believe it is the latter. Voting for Harris is not a betrayal of my conservative principles; it is an affirmation of my commitment to democracy, decency and the future of our nation.

This election is about more than party loyalty. It is about choosing a leader who would respect our democratic processes, seek common ground and work towards a better future for all Americans. Harris may not be a perfect candidate, but she is the leader our country needs right now to restore faith in our democracy and bring us back together.

I urge my fellow Republicans to look beyond party lines and consider what is at stake in this election. Our democracy and our national unity depend on it. Let us vote for a future where respect, decency and the rule of law prevail. For these reasons, I am casting my vote for Kamala Harris, and I encourage my fellow Missourians and Republicans to join me in supporting her candidacy.

Kelly Peters is a lifelong Republican, former Christian school teacher, mother of three children and grandmother of six grandchildren. She lives in Bourbon, Missouri.

The Missouri Supreme Court has ordered a new hearing for the Marcellus Williams case, blocking a plea deal that he accepted on Wednesday in an attempt to avoid the death penalty.

After years of claiming innocence, Williams pleaded no contest to the 1998 murder of former St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Felicia Gayle. The deal instead calls for serving a life-without-parole sentence.

His son, Marcellus Williams, Jr. is still processing the news.

“Some stuff was kind of just thrown at us at the last minute, and I don’t really have a pure thought on it yet, but it’s like, like, I guess it is what it is at this point,” he told KMOX Radio in St. Louis. “You know, I don’t know have no control. I’m just his son.”

Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s office plans to present new evidence he says proves Williams deserves death. He said that the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office “wrongfully” asserted that the DNA evidence would prove that Williams did not murder Gayle.

“I am proud of how hard we have fought for the rule of law in this case. Throughout all the legal games, the defense created a false narrative of innocence in order to get a convicted murderer off of death row and fulfill their political ends. Because of the defense’s failure to do their due diligence by testing the evidence that supposedly proved their point, the victims have been forced to relive their horrific loss for the last six years,” said Attorney General Bailey. “The victims in this case deserve better. Missourians deserve better.”

After the high court sided with his office, Bailey said that it is in the interest of every Missourian that the rule of law is fought for and upheld.

“I am glad the Missouri Supreme Court recognized that. We look forward to putting on evidence in a hearing like we were prepared to do yesterday,” Bailey said.

“We still have concerns about the integrity of the conviction of Marcellus Williams as expressed in our motion that requested this hearing, particularly given that his conviction led to the irrevocable punishment of death,” Christopher King, spokesperson for St. Louis County, said Thursday.

Joe Amrine attended a rally in St. Louis County in support of Williams. Amrine is a Kansas City man set free from death row after facing execution in 2003.

“I spent 30-some days in lockup waiting, facing execution,” he told KMOX. “I lost my hair. I mean, you just can’t imagine sitting there listening to this clock ticking, tick, tick. What really hurts the most, I’m sure with him, same thing, is the things that you know that the public’s going through, that your family’s going through.”

Amrine said that the people at the rally want justice, not just for the victim’s family, but for Williams’ family.

“You know, I mean, I don’t want to see no one get executed, but if, by some miracle, some chance someone had to be executed, I will know that they was afforded all the constitutional protection that’s possible,” he added.

The hearing to review evidence is scheduled for August 28th – less than one month from Williams’ scheduled execution of September 24.

Sean Malone at KMOX Radio contributed to this report.

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