Both candidates running in the November 8, 2022, general election for the 140th district in the Missouri House of Representatives —Amy Freeland (D) and Jamie Ray Gragg (R)—completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey.
The 140th district was left vacant when former state Rep. Tricia Derges (R) resigned on July 1, 2022. Here are excerpts from candidates’ responses to the question: “Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?”
Freeland:
“I’m a working-class professional and community leader who has called Southwest Missouri my home for more than a decade. I graduated summa cum laude with Honors from Drury University. I work as a quality assurance analyst for a Springfield-based company, where I frequently lead projects and help train colleagues.
Christian County is where I have felt the greatest sense of belonging, among neighbors who truly support each other. However, I have noticed a strong disconnect between what residents want and what we get from our elected officials. Our lawmakers tend to ignore their constituents and pass policies that hurt us. I realized someone needed to step up and advocate for us, and I decided to be that someone.
I have worked for years to improve outcomes for people in the Ozarks, engaging with voters about the issues that affect them. My volunteer efforts in the past two election cycles helped to pass community-focused policies, including expanded healthcare access and a higher minimum wage. Still, we have not seen the progress we deserve. I’m passionate about ensuring that my district is and continues to be a great place for kids, seniors, and working families.”
Gragg:
- “Our public schools are critical in developing the future leaders of Christian County and beyond. Improving our public schools is something we all support. Better schools start with local control of education. I believe decisions in education should be made by parents, teachers, principals, and local school boards, not politicians.
- I will stand for and fight for all life. To protect and defend the most fundamental right of humankind, the right to life of every innocent human being from the beginning of life to natural death. I will be a representative of all living person, inside and outside the womb. I will work to protect and defend the right for life of every citizen.
- The right of Americans to keep and bear arms is as relevant now as it was when our founding fathers wrote it in our Bill of Rights. Our Second Amendment rights are guaranteed in the Constitution for a reason, and that right must not be infringed upon by any level of government.”
To read each candidate’s full responses, click their name at the bottom of the article.
If you’re a Missouri candidate or incumbent, click here to take the survey. The survey contains over 30 questions, and you can choose the ones you feel will best represent your views to voters. If you complete the survey, a box with your answers will display on your Ballotpedia profile. Your responses will also populate the information that appears in our mobile app, My Vote Ballotpedia.
If you’re not running for office but would like to know more about candidates in Missouri, share the link and urge them to take the survey.
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