Mike Hamra: I’d be your Missouri governor for economic strength and personal freedom | Opinion

I’m running for governor because I love Missouri and believe we have incredible potential for a bright future. But extreme politicians in Jefferson City are taking us backward and not addressing the challenges we face.

Instead of focusing on creating jobs, higher wages, better schools and better access to health care, Jeff City is focused on prosecuting women and doctors for making their own private decisions about family planning, and fanning the flames of the culture wars.

But here’s the good news: With the right leadership and fresh ideas, Missouri can be a place of possibility and opportunity again.

But first, we must restore personal reproductive rights here in Missouri. Whether it’s the right to have an abortion, access to contraception or even in vitro fertilization, politicians should never dictate how we build our families. And this isn’t just an issue about protecting a fundamental right — it’s about our future. Missouri’s extreme abortion ban has driven people away, hindered our economy and made it harder to ensure a great public school education for the next generation of leaders right here in our state.

I’m not a career politician. I run a fast-growing family business that succeeds because we truly care about our employees and their families. I know how to lay out a vision, create jobs, work with people I don’t always agree with to solve problems and get things done.

First, we’d create a business climate that works for everyone by strengthening local economies in every corner of the state, helping people start and grow their small businesses, and attracting well-paying jobs and the workforce we need.

Missouri is brimming with potential: We have a wealth of entrepreneurs, innovators and dedicated workers. But for too long, self-serving politicians have prioritized their extreme social agendas, stalling progress and driving businesses, students and families away. I’ve grown my family’s restaurant business from 26 to more than 200 locations, employing thousands of Missourians and people nationwide. I’ve done it by incentivizing entrepreneurship, investing in workforce training and removing unnecessary barriers to employment.

Second, we’d invest in Missouri’s people. Just as a business that neglects its workforce will falter, a state that ignores the needs of its people will stagnate and fall behind. Unfortunately, because of the usual partisan games, Missouri’s economy has fallen behind the national average , education has lagged, health outcomes have deteriorated, and the cost of living remains prohibitive for many families.

My family’s business has been a success because we’ve invested in our employees and their families. We provide comprehensive benefits, tuition reimbursement, housing assistance, support for our student workers and an emergency assistance fund to support people during unexpected times of need. These investments have been the key to our success. And as governor, I would apply the same principles to our state. We must ensure every child receives a quality education, tackle the affordability crisis and improve our communities’ health and safety. It’s time to view investments in Missouri’s people not as optional expenses, but as essential priorities.

Finally, we need our state government to work more efficiently with a focus on a customer service mindset, because success hinges on delivering exceptional service. Unfortunately, today it often behaves as if it’s the only option available. As Missouri lags behind our neighbors in economic growth, business creation, household income, K-12 education and more, the detrimental effects of this attitude are evident. When our government focuses on scoring political points and fails to support Missourians’ success, the entire state suffers.

As governor, I would always prioritize the needs of Missourians. We’d innovate how state agencies deliver services, incentivize exceptional customer service and foster public-private partnerships. We’d modernize outdated systems, implement clear performance metrics and ensure transparency. And we’d address the corruption that has become all too common in Jeff City.

I’ve seen firsthand the power and the possibility of our people. Missourians are resilient, ready to get back up when we’re knocked down. We are kind, always willing to lend a hand to a neighbor or friend in need. We are diverse, richer because of our differences, not in spite of them. And we are ready, eager to unlock our collective potential.

Possibility over pessimism. Cooperation over gridlock. That’s the Missouri I know, and that’s the Missouri I’d be honored to serve as your next governor.

Mike Hamra is a Democratic candidate for Missouri governor. He lives in Springfield.