Michael Jarrett challenges Tom Flanagan in 163rd District

 (From Southwest Missouri Democrats)

 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 has 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 “he says:

I believe that 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.

I firmly believe in free speech but I also believe that there should not be anonymous money in politics. I do not think our democratic process should be for sale.

I believe we should be seeking ideas to encourage voter participation and more civic involvement.
I am opposed to the Right to Work (For Less!) 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.

I strongly support MEDICAID expansion 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. All studies about Medicaid Expansion in Missouri show that it would greatly benefit our economy”.