Differences between Claire McCaskill and Sarah Steelman
Contents
McCaskill vs. Steelman
Claire McCaskill, a member of the Democratic Party, and Sarah Steelman, a Republican, are two prominent figures in Missouri politics who have held statewide office and competed for a U.S. Senate seat. McCaskill served as the Missouri State Auditor and a two-term U.S. Senator, while Steelman served as a Missouri State Senator and the State Treasurer.[1] Their political paths notably intersected during the 2012 U.S. Senate election, where Steelman was a candidate in the Republican primary to challenge the incumbent McCaskill.[2] Though they did not face each other directly in a general election, their differing political ideologies and policy stances provide a clear contrast.[3]
McCaskill, throughout her career, established a reputation as a moderate Democrat, often highlighting her work on government accountability and transparency.[4] Steelman, conversely, positioned herself as a staunch conservative, advocating for reduced government spending and lower taxes.[5] The 2012 Republican primary, which featured Steelman, ultimately saw Todd Akin win the nomination to face McCaskill.
Comparison Table
| Category | Claire McCaskill | Sarah Steelman |
|---|---|---|
| Political Party | Democratic | Republican |
| Federal Office Held | U.S. Senator (2007-2019)[1] | None |
| Statewide Office Held | Missouri State Auditor (1999-2007) | Missouri State Treasurer (2005-2009) |
| General Political Ideology | Moderate, centrist Democrat[4] | Conservative Republican[5] |
| Approach to Government Spending | Focused on auditing government waste and protecting whistleblowers.[4] | Advocated for a balanced budget and opposed earmarks.[2][5] |
| Economic Policy | Has supported pragmatic policies on budget deficits.[4] | Emphasized tax cuts to stimulate economic growth.[2] |
| 2012 U.S. Senate Race | Incumbent who won re-election. | Lost in the Republican primary to Todd Akin. |
Political Career Trajectory
Claire McCaskill's political career began in the Missouri House of Representatives and as a prosecutor in Jackson County before she was elected to statewide office as State Auditor. She successfully ran for the U.S. Senate in 2006 and was re-elected in 2012 before being defeated in 2018.[1] Her tenure in the Senate included work on the Armed Services and Homeland Security committees.
Sarah Steelman also started her political career in the Missouri State Senate before being elected as State Treasurer in 2004. After her term as treasurer, she ran for governor in 2008 but was unsuccessful.[2] Her subsequent bid for the U.S. Senate in 2012 ended in the Republican primary.[2]
Stance on Fiscal Issues
A central theme in Sarah Steelman's political platform was fiscal conservatism. During her campaigns, she consistently called for a balanced federal budget, a reduction in the size of government, and a complete ban on congressional earmarks.[2][5] She was a proponent of keeping taxes low for individuals and businesses as a means of encouraging economic activity.[2]
Claire McCaskill, while in the Senate, also focused on fiscal responsibility, but primarily through the lens of oversight and accountability.[4] Her background as an auditor informed her approach, where she frequently targeted government waste, fraud, and abuse. She was known for conducting "performance audits" as State Auditor to ensure government programs were operating efficiently.[4] While a Democrat, she was noted for at times breaking with her party on fiscal matters and was considered one of the more centrist members of her caucus.[1][4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "wikipedia.org". Retrieved February 09, 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "wikipedia.org". Retrieved February 09, 2026.
- ↑ "ballotpedia.org". Retrieved February 09, 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 "grokipedia.com". Retrieved February 09, 2026.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "asn-online.org". Retrieved February 09, 2026.
