For decades, the historic Lincoln School stood as a local symbol of segregation and civic division. On Thursday, however, the restored landmark served a different civic purpose: acting as the literal common ground for all three candidates vying for the 154th District state representative seat.
The community discussion, hosted by the Lincoln School Project (LSP) and moderated by its founder and director, Crockett Oaks III, brought together incumbent state Rep. Lisa Durnell, former 155th District Rep. Travis Smith, both Republicans, and political newcomer JoJo Stewart, a Democrat. Before a completely silent, packed audience, the event transformed the former schoolhouse into an open forum where all demographics were welcome to examine the future of rural Missouri policy, underscoring LSP’S goal of turning a place of division into one of unity.
Under strict forum rules, each candidate spoke alone and received up to three minutes per question, keeping the hourlong session concise and focused entirely on the issues rather than direct debate style cross-examination.
The sharpest policy division of the evening centered on Missouri’s highly topical Amendment 5, which is set to appear before voters on the upcoming Aug. 4 primary ballot. If approved, the constitutional measure would completely eliminate Missouri's state income tax.
While the proposal has gained significant traction among standard conservative groups, Durnell broke rank to voice intense opposition to the measure. Stewart also voiced disagreement with the proposed amendment.
Stewart argued that eliminating the income tax would devastate local public schools, cautioning that the tax’s removal would force an increase in the sales tax. She also noted public education relies heavily on income tax revenues that would not be easily replaced in rural districts.
Durnell voiced similar concerns regarding the structural integrity of the bill. She noted she dislikes what she categorized as a "trust us" approach from the state legislature, warning that the bill lacks a solid legislative foundation and carries a potential to hurt low-income households and senior citizens living on fixed incomes.
Smith, a Republican who represented the 155th District of Douglas, Ozark and Taney counties from 2021 to 2025, chose to focus his time on separate legislation during the forum.
Beyond tax policy, the candidates used their introduction and panel segments to draw stark contrasts in how they intend to represent Howell County in Jefferson City.
Stewart leaned into her background as an "everyday person" rather than approaching the race from a traditional political angle. A lifelong Howell County resident, wife and mother, Stewart detailed her community development work with Missouri EEP (Missouri Equity Education Partnership) to plan sustainable local food systems. She sharply criticized the state's current handling of rural infrastructure and education, arguing that local families are being left behind.
“We’re told as a community that we gotta pull ourselves up by the bootstraps," Stewart said. "Well, we don’t have any boots to pull ourselves up with."
Smith framed his candidacy around proven legislative experience and deep-seated local roots, stating plainly, "Why am I running? Because I love this district — this is home." An active family man, coach and local business owner, Smith actively campaigned on core conservative pillars, emphasizing expanded funding for rural healthcare, strong support for law enforcement and first responders, the defense of Second Amendment protections and the defense of the unborn. He noted that his planned focus in Jefferson City is to foster local job growth so that the next generation of southern Missourians can build a life at home rather than being forced to find work elsewhere.
Durnell pointed to her 26 years of continuous residency in Howell County and her active leadership on regional boards, including the Willow Springs Scholarship Club and the Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative Nominating Committee, as the foundation of her public service. Bringing up her religious background, Durnell attributed much of her ongoing motivation for public office directly to her faith. She positioned herself as a staunch anti-lobbyist candidate completely distinct from special interest agendas.
"I’ve tried to be a voice that actually represents the people," Durnell told the crowd.
While the LSP forum focused heavily on general views of the legislature, voters will have a chance to hear a formal, moderated head-to-head debate between the candidates next month.
The next 154th District candidate debate — co-hosted by the West Plains Daily Quill, Ozark Radio News and the Howell County News and moderated by HCN Publisher and Editor Amanda Mendez — is scheduled for 6 p.m. July 22 at the West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St. The event will be free and open to the public.
Questions may be submitted by the public to all three news outlets by July 13. To send questions to the Quill, email news@westplainsdailyquill.net or mail them to P.O. Box 110, West Plains, MO 65775.
Editor's Note: This article was edited at 10:02 a.m. June 2, 2026, to correct the name of the Missouri Equity Education Partnership program referenced by Stewart.
