Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Former Neosho R-5 Board President officially announces candidacy for 160th District representative


(From the Jonathan Russell Campaign)

Jonathan Russell, a lifelong conservative, small businessman, school board leader, and former legislative assistant, has officially announced his candidacy for State Representative in Missouri’s 160th District. 

Russell is seeking to succeed former Rep. Ben Baker, who was recently appointed by President Trump to lead Missouri’s USDA office. Russell enters the race with widespread grassroots support, a deep record of community service, and a platform centered on conservative values: protecting life, defending the Second Amendment, restoring educational excellence, and limiting government growth.








“I love Newton County. I was born and raised here. I’ve fought for our conservative values on the school board, in the Capitol, and through my work helping elect leaders like Ben Baker, Dirk Deaton, and Cody Smith. Now, I’m stepping up to serve in the State House,” said Russell. “We need bold, experienced voices to stand up to the woke left and protect the Missouri we know and love.”

Standing on Conservative Principles

Jonathan Russell is unapologetically pro-life and pro-Second Amendment. He supports the full repeal of abortion in Missouri, opposes federal gun control, and believes government should be smaller, not bigger.

“Jonathan doesn’t just talk the talk—he’s lived it,” said State Rep. Dirk Deaton. “He’s been on the front lines for years, and no one is more prepared to step into this role and get to work on day one.”

A Track Record of Service and Results

Jonathan Russell isn’t new to public service. He brings two decades of grassroots conservative activism and public leadership to the campaign, including:

12-Year Member & Past President, Neosho School BoardFought DESE and Biden’s woke agenda in education

Advocated for parental rights and transparency

2024 President, Missouri School Boards’ Association

Led effort to withdraw Missouri from the liberal-controlled National School Boards Association after it labeled parents “domestic terrorists”

Fought against state government corruption in the Children’s Division

Former Legislative Assistant in Jefferson City

Helped pass key conservative reforms under Rep. Marilyn Ruestman








Gained firsthand experience on the House floor and in committees and worked on constituent issues
Newton County Republican Committee Member for Over a Decade

Helped build a strong conservative majority across Southwest Missouri

Small Businessman & REALTOR®

Works in family construction business and local real estate

Community Leader- Chaired Bright Futures Neosho, served on Library Board, was a Big Brother, and active in Neosho Lions Club

Fighting for Our Conservative Values


Russell’s campaign platform is grounded in conservative principles and focused on restoring common sense to state government. His priorities include:

100% pro-life: Russell will fight to protect Missouri’s ban on abortion and resist any effort to allow late-term procedures

Strong advocate for religious liberty and free speech

Will oppose any federal or state attempts to restrict the Second Amendment

“I will never compromise on life, liberty, or our God-given rights,” said Russell. “I’ve fought these battles on the local level — and now I’m ready to take that fight to Jefferson City.”

Reforming Education and Expanding School Choice

Supports homeschooling, charter schools, and education savings accounts (ESAs)

Led Missouri School Boards’ Association out of the national woke agenda








Believes parents should be decision-makers, not DESE or D.C. bureaucrats

“I was proud to stand up to President Biden’s overreach when the National School Boards Association tried to label parents as ‘domestic terrorists.’ I led the fight to get Missouri out of that group,” Russell explained.

Backing the Blue and Promoting Public Safety

Will work to increase funding and respect for law enforcement and sheriffs

Opposes soft-on-crime policies that endanger families and property

Protecting Election Integrity

Strong supporter of photo voter ID

Will fight for secure, transparent, and fraud-proof elections

Ensure transparency in the initiative petition process

Cutting Taxes and Growing Missouri’s Economy

Promotes pro-growth, low-tax policies

Believes in reducing red tape and government bureaucracy

Supports property tax reform and eliminating wasteful spending

Reform the IP Process & Stop Out-of-State Liberal Takeovers

Reform initiative petition laws to protect Missouri’s constitution

Oppose efforts to insert woke policies into law by bypassing the legislature

Expose and fight liberal funding from New York and California elites

“Our Constitution has been hijacked by out-of-state billionaires pushing abortion, recreational marijuana, and Medicaid Expansion. I’m running to stop that,” Russell stated.

Rooted in Newton County


Jonathan Russell was born and raised in Neosho. He graduated from Missouri Southern State University with a degree in Political Science, worked in the State Capitol as a legislative assistant, and returned home to help grow his family business and build a future in Southwest Missouri. He now works as a REALTOR® and operates a local construction business with his brother.

Whether fighting for conservative reforms in Jefferson City, protecting students from radical agendas, or volunteering in Neosho, he’s always answered the call to serve.

“This is my home. This is where I was raised and where I’ve spent my entire adult life,” said Russell. “I’ll roll my sleeves up and fight for this community — from school board to Jefferson City, I’m ready to serve and stand up for our conservative values.”








Join the Campaign to Restore Common Sense in Jefferson City

Russell is urging voters to stay engaged, support his campaign, and help counter liberal efforts to flip safe Republican seats with deceptive primary challenges.

“We’ve seen how liberal elites from outside Missouri try to buy our elections. We must protect our constitution, our families, and our values — and that means electing fighters, not fakes,” Russell said.

For more information or to get involved, visit www.russellformissouri.com or contact the campaign directly at jonathan@russellformissouri.com.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mr Russell
You served for years on the Neosho School Board, yet the current superintendent and others say the district has been failing students for a long time. As someone directly responsible for oversight, why should voters trust you now when you allowed those failures to happen on your watch?

Anonymous said...

So MAGA all the way

Anonymous said...

The Peter Principle explains a lot!

Anonymous said...

Russell is a puppet for Newton County Republican Chairman Nick Myers. It is pretty obvious where his direction and loyalty will be.

Anonymous said...

I don't care what side of the aisle this man resides on. Never elect anyone with those psychotic eyes. Eyes that, usually, are only found on liberal women. RIP Charlie Kirk!

Anonymous said...

7:43PM, with all the hate, despair, and inability to offer anything viable from the leftist liberal democrats another derogatory remark.

Anonymous said...

Russell is a Nick Myers puppet. He will be very manipulated in Neosho.

Anonymous said...

Oh yeah - the guy who grabbed a few free pizzas meant for the kids and families at a school event. Of course he wants to be in Jeff City so he can take food from more people’s mouths.
Dude - you can tout all your community endeavors , but I saw the real you. You didn’t give a crap about kids or education. You just like the applause.

Anonymous said...

The loudest voices of hate today are from maga world: Bannon, Alex Jones, and the faux news host who wears a wig..Jesse something? All are calling for war on liberals even before we know anything about the shooter. Seems to me, maga and their deplorables are doing more than their part to destabilize the country by creating more division and hate.

Anonymous said...

There's so much winning every time I go to the grocery store.

The only good thing about the inflation is well...there's nothing good about it. Probably will need to buy a corn burner to heat the house with all that $3.00 corn.

Anonymous said...

This is the kind of maga candidate you'd expect. It's no wonder they have to keep the cult dumb.

Anonymous said...

Neosho School District was ran very poorly under his watch. He tried to be a part of the fix by hiring outside for the Superintendent position. Too little and too late. If Neosho's true academic failures were known, our community would be ashamed. Shady practices show a brighter picture, rather than our true dark reality.