ISSUES

A strong economy is one where everyone can prosper—where working people have access to good jobs, where small businesses thrive, and where our communities are supported, not left behind.

As your representative, I will prioritize economic development that benefits the people, not just big corporations. That means investing in infrastructure, job training, and workforce development, ensuring that Missourians have the skills they need to compete in today’s economy. From small businesses to skilled trades, we need to build a local economythat works for everyone, and that starts with supporting the backbone of our state—our workers.

I will advocate for good-paying jobs, a fair minimum wage, and an economy where people can earn a living wage and take care of their families without working multiple jobs. I will also work to attract new businesses that align with Missouri’s values—businesses that respect workers, support fair labor practices, and provide opportunities for local communities to grow and succeed.

Vitality isn’t just about profits—it’s about people. By investing in public schools, affordable housing, and community health, we can create an economy where people feel valued and supported, and where they can thrive.

In Missouri, economic vitality means making sure no one is left behind, from our urban centers to rural communities. I’m committed to creating an economy that uplifts every Missourian and makes Missouri the best place to live, work, and grow.

Access to high-quality and affordable healthcare is a fundamental right for every resident of Missouri. However, year after year, families in our state are confronted with increasingly difficult choices, forced to weigh the cost of prescription drugs and medical expenses against their basic needs.

Unfortunately, the leadership of the Republican-controlled House has failed to seize opportunities to improve healthcare access for Missourians, leaving millions of federal dollars untouched meant for expanding coverage. Additionally, they have enacted legislation that severely restricts reproductive healthcare, including vital services like abortion, leading to negative impacts on community health, higher insurance premiums, and the imposition of unscientific and harmful restrictions.

It is imperative that individuals have the freedom to make decisions regarding their own bodies and lives. Yet, Republicans have pushed extreme abortion bans that limit access even in cases of rape, incest, or medical necessity.

Tragically, maternal mortality rates in Missouri far exceed those of other industrialized nations. Rather than supporting healthcare initiatives, Missouri legislators have burdened the system with restrictive measures, making it harder for physicians to provide care and for patients to achieve optimal health outcomes.

Furthermore, Republicans have allocated substantial taxpayer funds to defend unconstitutional legislation, all while claiming budget constraints for essential services like school transportation.

As your advocate in the state legislature, I am committed to championing sensible policies such as maintaining expanded Medicaid, ensuring access to reproductive healthcare, and making prescription medications more affordable. No Missourian should ever have to sacrifice a decent job to maintain their healthcare coverage.

Our children are Missouri’s greatest investment—and every child deserves access to free, high-quality public education, no matter their zip code. As your representative, I’m committed to strengthening our public schools and fully funding our promise to Missouri’s students, families, and educators.

That starts with universal early childhood education. The data is clear: when we invest in our kids from the start, we build a stronger future for everyone. I also believe in expanding access to higher education and workforce training, so that every Missourian—regardless of background—has the tools to succeed in a competitive economy.

But we can’t expect results if we continue to shortchange our teachers. I will fight for real increases in teacher pay, eliminate burdensome and unnecessary restrictions, and ensure educators are no longer forced to buy classroom supplies out of their own pockets.

When we invest in education, we invest in the future of Missouri—and I won’t stop fighting to deliver the resources our students and teachers deserve.

A strong economy is one that puts working people first—not just the wealthy or well-connected. As your state representative, I’ll fight for the people who actually build our economy: our workers.

That means supporting good-paying jobs with strong benefits, standing up for the right to organize, and protecting collective bargaining as a cornerstone of workplace fairness. When unions are strong, all workers—union or not—see better wages, safer conditions, and a stronger voice on the job.

I'll support investments in infrastructure, skilled trades, and workforce development that prepare Missourians for success in today’s economy—and tomorrow’s. And I’ll make sure public funds go toward projects and employers that respect workers, pay fair wages, and invest in our communities.

I’ll also work to grow small and local businesses that create good jobs here in Missouri—and ensure that working families are never treated as an afterthought when big corporations come calling.

Because at the end of the day, an economy that works for working people works for all of us.

One of the most important responsibilities of government is to keep people safe—and to do so fairly, justly, and with integrity.

I have proudly supported our law enforcement and public safety professionals, and I deeply value their service, expertise, and the sacrifices they make to protect our communities. I’ve voted with them time and again because I believe in working alongside—not against—those on the front lines.

But supporting law enforcement doesn’t mean turning a blind eye to misconduct. Accountability and public trust are essential to effective policing. We can—and must—expect high standards while giving officers the resources they need to succeed.

At the same time, we need smart justice policies that go beyond punishment. That’s why I support rehabilitative approaches, drug treatment courts, and diversion programs that reduce incarceration for non-violent offenses and offer people a real path to rebuilding their lives. It's not just more compassionate—it's also more cost-effective for taxpayers.

No matter where you live in Missouri, the root causes of crime are the same: lack of opportunity, untreated addiction, and generational poverty. If we want safer neighborhoods, we must address those issues head-on—through better education, job access, and mental health support.

Public safety isn’t just about law enforcement. It’s about building communities where people have the tools to thrive—and that’s the vision I’ll keep fighting for.

As a gay man, I know firsthand the pain and impact of legal discrimination. I’ve spent countless hours standing up to it—both through my personal advocacy and as a board member for the GLO Center of the Ozarks. My commitment to fighting discrimination isn’t just personal—it’s intersectional. I stand shoulder to shoulder with other marginalized communities to ensure Missouri becomes a place where everyone is safe, respected, and free to thrive.

For over 20 years, the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act (MONA) has been introduced and blocked—every single time—by Republican lawmakers. MONA would finally add sexual orientation and gender identity to Missouri’s Human Rights Act, offering LGBTQ Missourians the same basic protections others take for granted.

Right now, it is completely legal in Missouri to be fired, evicted, or denied services simply because of who you are or who you love.

Even worse, in recent years Republicans have passed laws making it easier for employers, landlords, and businesses to discriminate—rolling back civil rights protections related to source of income, race, age, religion, disability, and gender more aggressively than any other state.

Missourians deserve better.

As your state representative, I will fight to ensure Missouri protects everyone—regardless of their identity. A just and prosperous Missouri is one that leaves no one behind.

Learn more from some of our states' advocacy groups:

https://promoonline.org/

https://www.monaacp.org/

https://www.facebook.com/ameri...

https://www.springfieldtenants...

https://www.empowerabilities.o...

Government works best when it’s close to the people it serves. I believe in protecting the local autonomy of our cities and counties—because the people who live and work in our communities are best positioned to decide what’s right for them.

Too often in Missouri, we’ve seen state lawmakers override the will of local voters, using preemption laws to block ordinances they disagree with or force statewide votes on issues that should be decided at the local level. These decisions are often driven by special interests, not the needs of the people.

I trust our communities to lead. From public safety to housing to economic development, local leaders and local residents should have the freedom to tackle challenges in ways that reflect their unique values and needs.

As your representative, I’ll stand against unnecessary state interference in local decision-making and work to bridge the divide between Jefferson City and our municipalities. I’m proud to support the legislative priorities of Springfield City Council, and I’ll continue working alongside them to build a stronger, more responsive, and more resilient city—for all of us.