Voters to decide between Brown, Garris for 149th representative

Area voters will be deciding the state representative for the 149th District in the Aug. 2 election with current state representative for the district, Don Rone, having reached his term limit.

Voters will choose between Donnie Brown and Eric Garris on the Republican Party ticket to fill Rone’s position. The following is a Q&A with each candidate.

Describe your background:

BROWN: I’m first-hand a Christian, proud husband and father. I was raised with conservative Christian values and am a lifelong resident of Southeast Missouri. I graduated from NMCC High School, going on to receive my Civil Engineering degree from University of Missouri-Rolla. I have served as the highway engineer for New Madrid County for 28 years and am the current mayor of New Madrid. I have also served as the executive director of the New Madrid County Mayor’s Association for 17 years and as the County Economic Development Director for five years.

GARRIS: My background is I am a husband of 30 years a dad to three wonderful children, two which are adopted. I am a Christian. A Republican conservative, a small business owner. I have been a school board member and graduated Three Rivers College in 2018. I am a ex-paramedic, a member of the NRA and have been endorsed by the Missouri Right to Life and also just received a major endorsement from Freedom for Missouri. United for Principled Politics. I am also an ordained minister and play in our church praise band on bass guitar and saxophone.

What are your highest priorities for your district and Missouri?

BROWN: There are four main priorities Southeast Missouri needs to focus on.

1. Bringing jobs to the Bootheel and keeping them here.

2. Having strong technical skills training to support these industries, including our number one industry: agriculture.

3. Maintaining the infrastructure to support industry (roads, bridges, rail, ports, water, wastewater and electrical facilities).

4. Making sure our area has housing for these new employees to live in and raise a family. In my opinion, these need to be our top focus to build long term success for the Bootheel.

GARRIS: My priorities are jobs. We have to work with small business to ensure they can expand and grow, creating good paying and sustainable jobs. Another priority is school safety. One entrance, many exits, man traps, and training for teachers and students for when a emergency happens. Another priority is infrastructure, not just roads and bridges, but recreation projects and community betterment projects. Education is also a big priority, higher teacher salaries and student achievement! And a fully funded police and public safety. Also watching out for our farmers.

If elected, what is one single issue you would prioritize in the upcoming term?

BROWN: Job creation must continue to be number one on our list. We are currently having some success in our district thanks to the hard work of many folks. We need to continue to help our ports (Mississippi County, New Madrid County, Pemiscot County) grow because they are the key to getting our products to markets around the world, which will make all our businesses more successful—and in turn create even more jobs.

GARRIS: Jobs and industry to our district. Good paying and sustainable jobs. Good benefits. Long term contracts. We have to secure jobs to be able to expand business or infrastructure.

The economy is impacting everyone. What policy steps should the House take in the next year to create as many jobs and and as much prosperity as possible?

BROWN: First and foremost, we must reel back the mandates that have hurt our small businesses in the past few years. We must continue to keep taxes low and ensure that the state is not wasting money. I will work to cut red tape and give our local businesses the freedom to operate without government interference in their daily operations. I will also work to keep the costs of living affordable in these times of rapid inflation created by the Biden administration.

GARRIS: We need to really help the employees that work each day, who pay taxes, who work sometimes two or three jobs to provide for their families. We need to cut taxes as much as possible and give the workers a break. Also educational classes to help the worker and homeowners access to information about how to invest and save for these uncertain times.

If elected, what challenges do you foresee?

BROWN: The biggest challenge I predict to encounter in the state capitol is pushing back against career politicians who are more interested in rubbing elbows with special interests rather than serving the people of Missouri. I will not compromise on my core conservative values and will fight everyday to be a voice for the Bootheel.

GARRIS: I foresee challenges bringing industry to our district. That is why I will work hard to secure those jobs and provide for our district. I will work with community leadership and see if we can’t grant permit and fee forgiveness and micro loans, to lower tax rates for new business and industry for a time period to help the businesses get established and hire people.

Why should voters choose you?

BROWN: I’m the Bootheel conservative candidate of this race. I’m pro-Trump, pro-life, pro-ag, and pro-freedom. I will never back down to the radical socialist agenda that is running wild across our country. I will stand strong for our 1st and 2nd Amendment rights and will tackle the crisis of illegal immigration bringing crime and drugs to our state. My record shows that I’m a proven conservative. If you want a proud, common-sense Republican to represent you, I’m your guy.

GARRIS: It is my goal to work hard for our district. On Aug. 2 I am asking for your vote. I promise that we will make a difference in our district and communities. My slogan is “Make Missouri Better Together” because I need your help, your ideas, your expectations. We will put our heads together and work hard to see that real people with real problems find real solutions. To bring industry to our district, to create a healthy and safe environment for our children in school. To fully fund police, fire, and EMS to ensure safety to our communities. And to see District 149 become strong and proud. Vote Eric Garris on Aug. 2. I am second on the ballot. Thank you!