Jarrett to formally announce candidacy for 163rd next Tuesday

(From the Southwest Missouri Democrats)

Michael Jarrett will formally announce his candidacy for the MO House 163^st Legislative District Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at 1 p.m. on the South side Courthouse Steps, 302 S. Main Street, Carthage, MO.  He would like to invite members of the media and public to attend. Michael will field questions about his candidacy and the issues he would like to highlight throughout his campaign.  In the event of inclement weather the event will be rescheduled.
 
Michael Jarrett was born in Joplin in 1964 and was raised in rural Jasper County.  He attended Carl Junction Schools and the University of Missouri where he majored in Psychology and Political Science.  He completed an EMT course at MSSU.  He currently resides on the family farm where he grew up. 

After two years at Mizzou and a year of retail, Michael joined the Navy and served six years active duty on two fast attack submarines and Submarine Development Group One.  After finishing his enlistment he worked in retail and customer service, specializing in troubleshooting and training.  From 2002 to 2005 he worked in the Admissions Department of a local hospital, checking in patients and dealing with their insurance companies.  Michael has been a small business owner: he operated a lawn care and maintenance business providing services to Joplin landlords prior to the Joplin Tornado.  Michael currently works as an Account Sales Representative for a major electronics company.  He has worked as an election judge in local elections for the past two years.


Michael is a past board member of Spirit of Christ Church and Blind Ambitions Groups.  His hobbies include reading, outdoor photography, and classic cars. 
 
POLITICAL ISSUES
Michael has been active in politics since 1982 when he joined the College Republicans at University of Missouri.  Over the years he turned away from the Republicans and toward a Democratic stance. Michael plans to campaign on certain issues:

• STATE POLITICS -At the state level we should be focused on keeping the state working, the schools funded, and the roads paved.  State level politics should not be so blatantly partisan and we should not be wasting time and money on grandstanding legislation that will never be effective law.
• MONEY IN POLITICS -Free speech is important, but there should not be anonymous money in politics.  Our democratic process should be for sale.
• IDEAS -We should be seeking ideas to encourage voter participation and more civic involvement. 
• RIGHT TO WORK (FOR LESS!) -We must stand up against the legislation currently being considered.  Unions continue to serve a productive role in training workers, protecting workers, and their rights.  Unions help protect our declining middle class.
• MEDICAID  EXPANSION – This policy is vital in Missouri.  If we accept Medicaid expansion, more of our working poor will have access to health care.  To put it bluntly, when you are sick with no hope of treatment, it is hard to work and keep your job.  Continued lack of access to health care leads to higher health care costs and to more people with work limitations and disabilities.  Also all studies about Medicaid Expansion in Missouri show that it would greatly benefit our economy.