Healthcare
As a grandfather, I want to ensure that my grandchildren – and every child in Missouri – grow up with access to the healthcare they need, including safe reproductive care and mental health support.
As your representative, I’m committed to fighting for a healthcare system that works for everyone. This means lowering prescription drug prices, funding clinics that offer free or low-cost care, and expanding healthcare access in under served areas. We must also protect reproductive freedom by overturning Missouri’s “Heartbeat Bill” and ensuring that every woman has access to the full range of reproductive healthcare, including safe and legal abortions. Additionally, we need to make behavioral healthcare more accessible, because mental health is just as important as physical health.
I believe healthcare is a right, not a privilege, and I’ll work tirelessly to make sure that every Missourian can access the care they need without fear of financial ruin.
Education
We need leadership that is committed to restoring our public schools to the point of pride they once were, so that my grandchildren and their peers can receive the best education possible.
Teachers are leaving the state for better opportunities, and students are falling behind. We owe it to our children to provide them with the best education possible, and that starts with ensuring our schools are properly funded.
As your representative, I will be a strong advocate for changing the state’s funding formula so that every child, regardless of where they live, has access to a quality public education. Our teachers deserve better pay, our schools deserve more resources, and our students deserve a future full of opportunity.
Supporting Workers, Small Businesses, & Our Local Economy
Derrick fights to ensure that when his grandchildren enter the workforce, they have access to good-paying jobs and the support they need to build their own futures.
A thriving middle class is the foundation of a strong community and a robust local economy. I believe that every Missourian who works full-time deserves a living wage, paid time off, and the security of knowing they can support their families. When workers are treated fairly, and small businesses are supported, our entire community benefits.
As someone who has worked hard to provide for my family, I understand the challenges that working Missourians and local business owners face. I will fight to protect the rights won by the labor movement, support small businesses, and ensure that our economy is built on fairness and opportunity. Together, we can create a Missouri where workers and small businesses thrive side by side, building a stronger future for all.
Upgrading Infrastructure
As a professional in land surveying and engineering, I’ve spent years working on the roads, bridges, and systems that keep our state moving. Missouri’s infrastructure is in dire need of repair and modernization, and thanks to the Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make it happen.
I’m committed to using these funds to fix our crumbling infrastructure, improve public transit, and invest in green technology that will power Missouri into the future. We must also ensure that every community has access to clean water and reliable energy, so that no Missourian is left behind.
Overcoming the Politics of Division
Too many leaders today thrive on division instead of finding common ground. This kind of politics weakens our communities and distracts from the real issues that matter. I believe it’s time to move past divisive rhetoric and focus on what unites us as Missourians.
As your representative, I’m committed to fostering collaboration and respect in Jefferson City. By working together, we can address our shared challenges—like healthcare, education, and the economy—rather than letting division hold us back. Missouri deserves leadership focused on progress, not partisanship.
Reproductive Freedom
Every person should have the autonomy to make decisions about their own body. Missouri’s extreme abortion bans are not only unconstitutional, but they also endanger the lives of women across our state. We must stand up for reproductive freedom and ensure that every woman has access to safe, legal, and affordable healthcare.
As your state representative, I will fight to overturn these draconian laws and ensure that every woman has the right to make the best decisions for her own life and health. Reproductive healthcare is essential healthcare, and I will not rest until it is protected for all Missourians.
Opportunity for Everyone
In Missouri, no one should have to live in fear of losing their job, being denied housing, or facing discrimination because of who they are or who they love. Unfortunately, discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is still legal in our state, and Republicans have repeatedly blocked efforts to change that.
As your representative, I will work tirelessly to pass the Missouri Non-Discrimination Act (MONA) and ensure that every Missourian is protected from discrimination, regardless of race, religion, gender, age, or sexual orientation. We must build a Missouri that welcomes and protects everyone, and I’m committed to making that a reality.