Jo Crain, Josh Hawley, Craig O’Dear and Claire McCaskill debate

From left, Green Party candidate Jo Crain, Republican candidate Josh Hawley, Independent candidate Craig O’Dear and Democratic incumbent Claire McCaskill at Friday's debate at the Missouri Press Association Annual Conference in St. Louis. It was the first time Hawley and McCaskill have debated.

ST. LOUIS — Missouri's U.S. Senate candidates debated pre-existing conditions, Judge Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court and immigration for the first time at the Missouri Press Association Annual Convention Friday in St. Louis.

The Senate race is close, according to an NBC News/Marist September poll. Forty-six percent of registered Missouri voters said they plan to vote for Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill, and 47 percent plan to vote for Republican state Attorney General Josh Hawley.

  • Spring 2020 state government reporter. I am a senior studying data journalism. I can be reached by email at ashlynohara@mail.missouri.edu or on Twitter at @ashlyn_ohara.

  • Fall 2018 public life reporter. I am a junior studying data journalism and international studies. Reach me at clareroth@mail.missouri.edu or on Twitter @clareeroth.