MY PRIORITIES
I'm not a career politician or wealthy business owner. I'm a dad and a longtime laborer who knows what it means to work hard, raise a family, and expect government to do its job. Here’s how I'll fight for you:
1. Working Families First
Families in our district work hard and deserve leaders who have their backs. In 2024, Missourians voted to guarantee workers access to paid sick leave—only to see our current representative vote to take it away months later. That kind of bait-and-switch politics hurts families. When I’m elected, I’ll go to bat for working people and make sure they aren’t turned on the moment an election is over. We need to protect workers’ rights, bring good jobs closer to home, and stop handing out special breaks to big corporations while families struggle.
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Stand up for workers: Defend paid sick leave and fight for fair pay, good benefits, and stable jobs.
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Bring jobs closer to home: Attract new businesses so families don’t have to continue to spend 25 minutes or more on average commuting to work every day.
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Put people before profits: Our government shouldn't concern itself with widening the profit margins of private companies. Instead, they need to focus on delivering for everyday people like us. I will work to end unnecessary corporate giveaways and, instead, reward companies that hire local workers, pay fairly, and treat employees with respect.
2. Lowering Costs & Tax Burden
Missouri has a multi-billion-dollar budget surplus, yet families in our district still pay thousands each year in income and property taxes while getting little in return. At the same time, the state hands out millions to private companies and funds programs that make government harder—not easier—for ordinary people to navigate. Meanwhile, big banks and investment firms keep buying up homes, shrinking the supply and driving prices up for both buyers and renters. That pushes up property taxes and makes it harder for families to afford a home or keep up with rising costs. I’ll work to put the state’s surplus to better use so we can lower tax burdens and tackle the forces driving up everyday costs.
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Push back on housing speculation: Stop big banks and investment firms from buying up homes and driving up prices.
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Ease the load on families: Look for ways to reduce income and property taxes by putting the state’s surplus to work.
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Keep essentials affordable: Support local farmers and practical solutions that lower the costs of groceries, housing, and utilities.
3. Strengthen Education
I didn’t go to college, but I built a good life through hard work and a practical education that taught me real skills. That foundation gave me the tools to provide for my family and put both of my daughters on the path to college. Every child deserves that same chance—whether their future takes them to a university or straight into a good-paying job.
The truth is, we’ve got a long way to go. Missouri ranks 30th in education and a staggering 49th in teacher pay. We won’t fix that overnight, but it starts with better leadership at the state level—leadership that puts students, families, and teachers first.
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Keep public dollars in public schools: Make sure tax money supports the schools that serve all families and focus on teaching real-world skills that prepare students for college or good jobs.
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Invest in great teachers: Pay and keep quality teachers who inspire students and make a difference in the classroom.
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Support working families: Expand access to affordable childcare and school meals so parents don’t have to choose between work and their kids’ well-being.
4. A Government That Works
Too often, government feels like it’s working against you instead of for you. People shouldn’t have to fight through weeks of red tape just to renew a license, get support, or deal with basic state services. Taxpayers deserve results, not excuses. If politicians don’t deliver, they shouldn’t keep cashing your checks. We need leaders who put the people first—not the lobbyists or corporate donors who try to call the shots in Jefferson City.
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Cut waste and red tape: Make government services faster and easier for regular people to use.
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Hold politicians accountable: If they don’t deliver results, they don’t deserve a taxpayer-funded paycheck.
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Put people over special interests: Limit lobbyists' and corporate influence in government decisions so policies serve families, not the powerful few.
5. Support Public Safety
Everyone deserves to feel safe at home and in their neighborhood. That means having well-trained first responders and a justice system that’s fair, effective, and trusted by the people it serves. We can do this by preparing the next generation for these vital careers, supporting those already on the job, and making sure the system delivers both safety and justice.
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Build career pipelines: Create pathways in high schools that prepare students for firefighting, EMS, and law enforcement careers immediately after graduating high school.
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Invest in ongoing training: Ensure first responders have the skills and resources to do their jobs well and uphold fairness.
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Strengthen trust and accountability: Support law enforcement and the broader justice system—from prosecutors to police—so victims are protected and communities can rely on a system that’s fair and effective.
6. Protect Missouri's Future
Missouri’s land, water, and natural resources are part of who we are—and it’s our job to make sure they’re protected for the next generation. We can’t let big corporations exploit our resources while families and local communities pay the price. By taking care of our environment and our public spaces, we also build stronger, cleaner, and safer neighborhoods that people can be proud to call home.
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Protect what sustains us: Safeguard our water, farmland, and natural resources from corporate abuse.
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Strengthen our communities: Support state-backed programs that reduce homelessness and keep neighborhoods clean and safe.
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Look to the future: Protect conservation funding and invest in community pride so future generations can enjoy Missouri’s natural beauty and resources.