Garris announces bid for State Representative of 149th District

NEW MADRID, Mo. — Lifelong Missouri native Eric Garris has announced his bid for State Representative of the 149th District of Missouri, which represents New Madrid County and parts of Scott, Mississippi and Pemiscot Counties.

As a Republican conservative, Garris said he has the people of the 149th District at heart.

“It’s my goal to see that the district is well represented,” he said. “I will go to Jefferson City and make sure that the voices of the people of our district are heard.”

Garris’ agenda includes job growth, safe schools, fully funded police, defending our Constitutional Rights, taking care of veterans and farmers. He also said Small Business owners must be taken care of.

“Small business is the back bone of our communities, and we must protect our small businesses,” Garris said.

Garris has been a small business owner for six years. He owns and operates The Heat and Air Guy LLC, a heating and air conditioning business.

“I love owning my own business and understand the challenges that small business owners face today,” he said.

Before becoming a business owner, Garris worked as a paramedic for several counties in Missouri, finishing his career in New Madrid County working part-time.

“I loved helping people; you don’t do that job for the pay for sure. I always thought it an honor to care for my patients,” he said.

Garris said his approach to the State Representative position is similar.

“I care for the citizens of District 149, and it is my goal to see this district grow and become better than ever,” he said. “We have to invest in infrastructure to see economic growth, it’s so important.”

Garris said his campaign slogan was “Make Missouri Better Together.”

“It truly takes everyone to help make our district better; I can’t do it on my own,” Garris said. “So I need people to step up, speak out and help me make District 149 heard in Jefferson City.”

Garris said the opportunity to represent his district in Jefferson City would be what he’s called to do.

“I want to ensure that our children and grandchildren know a free and safe America and Missouri like we grew up knowing, and I will fight for that,” he said.

Having served as a school board member for Risco schools, Garris is a member of the National Rifle Association and the Missouri Farm Bureau He has also been a member of the American Red Cross as a CPR and first-aid instructor.

Garris has been married 30 years to his wife, Jennifer, who is a reading specialist teacher in the Risco school district and has worked in education since 2000.

The couple have a podcast, “The JenEric Podcast” which is aimed at helping families.

When asked what she thought of her husband running for office, Jennifer Garris said: “Eric represents all of our families within us. Those of the past and the present. He has always been a strong leader and has the courage to step up to the great unknown running for office, and I know he will make a difference; I couldn’t be prouder.”

The couple also have a son, Tony, who currently serves in the United States Air Force; and two daughters, Faith, who will be a senior at The College of the Ozarks this fall; and Abbi, who will be a senior at Risco School this fall.

“As a kid growing up in Arkansas, I didn’t have much of a father role model,” Tony Garris said. “However, unforeseeable things occurred, and my aunt and uncle, Jennifer and Eric took me in without a second thought. If I could describe him in one word, it would be the word caring. He cared for me when even my own blood didn’t. Not only did he take me into his home, but he took the time to mentor me as a son. Because of that, today, I am a man of moral values that align with the core values of the United States Air Force. I will forever be grateful and don’t know where I’d be today without their support.”

Faith Garris said feels very proud of her father for chasing his longtime dream of public service

“My father has always had a heart for people, and I’m glad he is using his heart to change our great state,” she said.

Abbi and Tony were adopted when their mother passed away.

“He is kind, funny and loving,” Abbi Garris said of her father. “He never gives up on me. He always keeps pushing, even when it gets complicated. He puts his family and God first. I am so thankful that God blessed me with him as a father.

Garris also attends the United Voice of Zion as elder and minister and plays bass and saxophone on the praise team. He was ordained in 1998. He and his wife have been on missionary trips to Mexico and the Philippines.

On the outside looking in, Garris is a remarkable man, entrepreneur and leader in his community and church. He said he’s a conservative leader: “I want to help real people with real problems find real solutions.”

Garris said residents can expect to find him on the campaign trail as he visits the communities within the district.

“Remember that we will Make Missouri Better Together,” he said.