Former state representative candidate Michael Jarrett dies from injuries sustained in car accident

(Corrected from earlier version. I mistakenly wrote that Jarrett was again running for 163rd District state representative. I did two things that reporters should not do- I relied on a faulty memory and a Facebook page that I thought referred to both the 2016 and 2014 elections, but I was wrong.)

Michael Jarrett, a candidate for the Democratic nomination for 163rd District state representative in 2014, died Saturday from injuries sustained in a two -vehicle accident Thursday on MO 86, two miles south of Granby.

Jarrett had been at Mercy Hospital since the accident.

Jarrett is the second person to die as a result of the accident, which occurred when a 2011 Dodge 1500 driven by John A. Brewer, 20, Granby, ran a stop sign and struck the 2012 Toyota RAV4 Jarrett was driving on the drivers side. After the impact, both vehicles traveled off the south side of the road, with Jarrett's vehicle overturning.

A passenger in Jarrett's vehicle, Keith D. Bryant, 63, Wheaton, was pronounced dead at the scene by Newton County Deputy Coroner Jerry Deems.

The following information was provided by Jarrett when he announced his candidacy in 2014.

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 Missouri Southern State University.

After two years at Mizzou and a year of retail, Jarrett 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.
Recently, he has worked as an account sales representative for a major electronics company.

In that same news release, Jarrett outlined his political background and views: 

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”.