JEFFERSON CITY — Michael Parson never expected to be governor of Missouri.
Forced into the spotlight by a messy resignation, then-Lt. Gov. Parson said he aimed to still the waters — returning to what he describes as "common sense" values.
Now, six years and one resounding reelection later, the former sheriff is stepping away from the table.
"We've been through the worst drought, the worst flood, COVID-19, civil unrest, train derailments, chemical spills and you could almost go on down the list," Parson said. "But the one thing you know is you got to get up every morning, and you got to come to work."
Less than a month away from the end of Parson's leadership of Missouri, KOMU 8 sat down with the governor to discuss his time in office and break down what he hopes will happen with future leaders of the Show Me State.
Early career and politics
Gov. Mike Parson traces his career from humble beginnings. He was raised in a town called Wheatland, home in 2020 to just under 300 people, with parents who farmed to stay afloat.
"They didn't have a lot in the world of material things," Parson said. "So everything I've ever got in my life, you know, I've been very grateful for that."
After graduating from Wheatland High School, Parson enlisted in the Army. He served for six years.
Upon returning, Parson pursued a career in law enforcement, eventually becoming the sheriff of Polk County — a position he held for over 12 years.
The governor then turned to politics, becoming a state representative from 2004 to 2011. He was elected to the state Senate from 2011 to 2017 and eventually won the bid for lieutenant governor.
It was a near-unprecedented move that cut his term short; however, Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens resigned from the state's top office amid serious accusations of fraud and sexual misconduct.
As lieutenant governor, Parson was forced to step up.
Parson takes the reins
"I've sat in 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 for the sit behind the desk of the governor of the state of Missouri. Just, it's a tremendous responsibility."
Parson was officially sworn into office on June 1, 2018, replacing Greitens as the state's top leader.
Coming into a rocky political environment, Parson said he had to use all that he had learned to bring the Capitol together.
"You try to just maintain smooth waters," Parson said. "You just try to bring everybody back together and say, 'OK, we need to fix some problems here, but we got to move on.'"
Parson reflected on this transition.
"The way I became governor was something that nobody had ever really been through before in our state's history," Parson said. "How we handled that was the best way to do it, and I think it was the right thing to do at the time."
Parson said his focus as governor was solely on Missouri, investing in programs that expand the state's infrastructure and workforce.
In 2020, Parson signed executive orders to restructure theDivision 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 bringing more jobs to mid-Missourians.
Another focus was expanding broadband access for Missourians, signing several bills to increase funding for rural internet expansion.
Most recently, the governor approved a budget increase to $2.8 billion, focusing solely on expanding and improving Missouri's Interstate 70 corridor.
"All the things that I've done, we feel like we've about checked all the boxes for what this administration had time for," Parson said. "If there was one thing that didn't get done that I think the legislature and the next governor coming in has got to deal with: You got to deal with the child care situation state of Missouri."
Republican infighting has plagued Parson's term, blocking major bipartisan bills during his time in office.
"I think you see over the last few years, even with the young ranks of your parties, of what's going on internally, these divisions and these caucuses and all these things are changing place," Parson said. "You've got to be able to govern."
Most notable was Rep. Brenda Shields', R-St. Joseph, child care tax credit bill — a battle lawmakers have tried to pass through multiple sessions. In 2023, the bill was perfected unanimously in the House but shut down by conservative Republicans in the Senate.
Parson gave heavy support for Shields' bill, arguing it was the next step in expanding the state's economy.
"You had a handful of people that stopped that bill from happening, just more out of spite than anything," Parson said. "We need to do a better job."
The governor's vision for Missouri
Parson described the move as worrying for the future of the Missouri legislature, worrying future politicians would focus on flashy bills over others.
"If you come up here, you've got to govern," Parson said. "That's what you got sent up here for, not to be a disruptive force or anything like that. And this is just an issue I feel very dear about."
Child care was a key issue the governor highlighted when defining what his term would look like. Parson said that when the bill was blocked, he was not pleased.
"If you can't take care of the kids in situations like this, we need to be really rethinking what we do," Parson said. "I hope they understand how important that is."
The burden then rests on the incoming governor, Parson said, to bring together a divided legislature.
As far as policy, Parson said he hopes the future governor continues infrastructure projects across the state while expanding workforce development programs even further, coming in with a similar 'Missouri-first' mindset to his.
According to Parson, this will continue to grow Missouri into a state of influence across the country.
Parson said that whoever wins the governor's race on Nov. 5 has an uphill battle ahead, one that he believes is crucial to moving Missouri into the future.
"I do believe the foundation is set for the next governor to build on, and if they can do things better, that'll never be a problem with me," Parson said. "I want them to be better. But just remember, you're a public servant when you walk into this office, no more nor less."
When Parson leaves the governor's office, it will mark the end of his 20-year career.
"Everybody said, 'You're getting termed out; what are you going to do next?' But I think there's a time to go home. I really do," Parson said. "I got six grandkids and two great-grandkids. I missed a lot of their lives early on when I've been up here. So I just want to go home."
"Very proud of my state, very proud of Missouri, and very proud I live here," Parson added. "I think it's been one of the highest honors I've ever had."
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