‘We have to do a better job’: Gov. Parson reflects on his term ahead of Election Day | Choose

JEFFERSON CITY — Michael Parson never expected to become governor of Missouri.

Thrust into the spotlight by a chaotic resignation, then-Lt. Governor Parson said he wanted to calm the situation and return to what he calls “common sense” values.

Now, six years and a stunning re-election later, the former sheriff is resigning from office.

“We have experienced the worst drought, the worst flood, COVID-19, riots, train derailments, chemical spills, and the list could almost go on,” Parson said. “But the only thing you know is that you have to get up every morning and come to work.”

With less than a month to go before Parsons’ leadership in Missouri ends, KOMU 8 sat down with the governor to discuss his term and what he believes will happen to the Show Me State’s future leaders.

Early career and politics

Governor Mike Parson looks back on humble beginnings to his career. He grew up in a town called Wheatland, which was home to just under 300 people in 2020 and whose parents farmed to stay afloat.

“They didn’t have much in the world of material things,” Parson said. “So everything I’ve ever gotten in my life, you know, I’ve been very grateful for.”

After graduating from Wheatland High School, Parson joined the Army. He served for six years.

Upon his return, Parson pursued a career in law enforcement and eventually became sheriff of Polk County – a position he held for over 12 years.

The governor then turned to politics and became a state representative from 2004 to 2011. He was elected to the state Senate from 2011 to 2017 and ultimately won the bid for lieutenant governor.

It was an almost unprecedented move that shortened his term in office; However, Missouri Governor Eric Greitens resigned from his top post in the state amid serious allegations of fraud and sexual misconduct.

As lieutenant governor, Parson was forced to move up.

Parson takes the reins

“I have filled almost every seat in the General Assembly over the years,” Parson said. “I’ve been a sheriff, a small business owner, but nothing prepares you to sit behind the desk of the governor of the state of Missouri. It’s just a huge responsibility.”

Parson was officially sworn into office on June 1, 2018, replacing Greitens as the state’s top leader.

Finding himself in a difficult political environment, Parson said he had to use everything he learned to bring the Capitol together.

“You just try to keep the water smooth,” Parson said. “You just try to bring everyone back together and say, ‘Okay, we need to fix some problems here, but we need to move on.'”

Parson thought about this transition.

“The way I became governor was something that had never really been done before in the history of our state,” Parson said. “The way we handled it was the best way, and I think it was the right thing to do at the time.”

Parson said his focus as governor will be solely on Missouri and investing in programs that expand the state’s infrastructure and workforce.

In 2020, Parson signed executive orders restructuring the Department of Workforce Development and the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, all of which were transferred to the Department of Higher Education.

Parson said the move would allow the Department of Economic Development to focus on creating more jobs for central Missourians.

Another focus was expanding broadband access for Missourians and signing several bills to increase funding for rural internet expansion.

Most recently, the governor approved a $2.8 billion budget increase focused solely on expanding and improving the Interstate 70 corridor in Missouri.

“With all the things I’ve done, we feel like we’ve ticked all the boxes that this administration had time to do,” Parson said. “If there’s one thing that hasn’t been done that I think the Legislature and the next governor need to address: they need to address the child care situation in the state of Missouri.”

Parsons’s term was marked by infighting among Republicans, who blocked major bipartisan bills during his term.

“I think you see in the last few years, even in the young ranks of your parties, what’s going on internally, these divisions and these factions and all these things are changing places,” Parson said. “You have to be able to govern.”

Most notable was Rep. Brenda Shields, R-St. Joseph, Child Care Tax Credit Bill – a fight the Legislature has attempted in multiple sessions. In 2023, the bill passed unanimously in the House of Representatives but was rejected by conservative Republicans in the Senate.

Parson strongly supported Shields’ bill, arguing it was the next step in expanding the state’s economy.

“There were a handful of people who prevented this bill from passing, more out of malice than for any reason,” Parson said. “We have to do a better job.”

The Governor’s Vision for Missouri

Parson described the move as worrisome for the future of the Missouri Legislature, fearing that future politicians would focus on flashy bills instead of others.

“When you come here, you have to govern,” Parson said. “That’s why you were sent here, not to be a disruptive force or anything like that. And that’s just a topic that’s very close to my heart.”

Child care was a key issue highlighted by the governor as he charted his term. Parson said he wasn’t happy when the bill was blocked.

“When you can’t take care of the kids in situations like this, we really need to rethink how we do things,” Parson said. “I hope they understand how important this is.”

The burden then falls on the new governor, Parson said, to bring a divided Legislature together.

On the policy front, Parson said he hopes the incoming governor continues infrastructure projects across the state while expanding workforce development programs even further, adopting a similar “Missouri-first” mentality to his own.

According to Parson, this will further make Missouri an influential state across the country.

Parson said whoever wins the Nov. 5 governor’s race will face an uphill battle, which he said is crucial to leading Missouri into the future.

“I believe the foundation is laid for the next governor to build on, and if he can make things better, that will never be a problem for me,” Parson said. “I want them to get better. But remember: when you enter this office, you are a public servant, nothing more, nothing less.”

If Parson leaves the governor’s office, it will mark the end of his 20-year career.

“Everyone said, ‘You’re going to be fired; what are you going to do next?’ But I think it’s really time to go home,” Parson said. “I have six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. When I was up here, I missed a lot of her life early on. That’s why I just want to go home.”

“Very proud of my state, very proud of Missouri and very proud that I live here,” Parson added. “I think it was one of the highest honors I have ever received.”