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Q & A: Tommie Pierson, State Rep. and Candidate for Lt. Governor

The Missouri Times recently sat down with state Rep. Tommie Pierson, D-St. Louis to discuss his efforts on the campaign trail as he attempts to become the state’s next lieutenant governor. Pierson discusses his unifying vision for Missouri, making his voice heard on the campaign trail and the possibility of being the first African-American to hold a statewide office in Missouri.

The Missouri Times: What do you think you can bring to the lt. governor’s position? Why would you be the best person for the job for Missouri.

Rep. Tommie Pierson: Well, first of all, I bring what this state needs, and that is diversity. All voices need to be heard in this state, and I think my background brings that. I’ve lived in rural, urban and suburban [areas]. You name it, I’ve been there. I once was a farmer, now I work in the industrial industry. So I think I bring a lot of diversity in, and that’s a good thing for this state.

TMT: If you won, you would be the first African-American to ever hold a statewide office in Missouri history. Do you think that would give you a different perspective on how to solve some of the state’s problems?

Pierson
Pierson

TP: The lt. governor’s position is basically one who can promote issues around the state, and as a pastor and a husband, I think I could best do that just to go around and promote issues. I wouldn’t be promoting too much personal stuff, but just issues that would bring the state together.

TMT: Missouri is a rural and urban state, and you have background living in both rural and urban areas. How do you reconcile that kind of dichotomy at the state level?

TP: Just having that voice, that bully pulpit, if you will, to speak to these issues, I think the fact I’ve been endorsed by the cattleman’s association, and have the close association with farmers, I think that alone will allow me to bring the state together on the issues that resonate among all of the residents of this state.

TMT: What might be some of the biggest hurdles for your campaign to overcome?

TP: Well the fact that I don’t have strong statewide name recognition would be one of the challenges. The fact that I’m not a millionaire, not a billionaire, so I can’t pour a lot of money into my campaign. The fact that I’m not among the privileged, the elites who think that they’re the only ones running for a statewide position. That’s a hurdle I have to get over, and also the party will have to get over. The party has not embraced my candidacy. You know, those are some hurdles that I’ll have to get over, and I’m confident that I will get over them.

TMT: Russ Carnahan recently announced he would be entering the race, joining you and [Springfield doctor and lawyer] Brad Bradshaw in the primary. How will you try to stand out among that crowd?

TP: My message is going to be different. It’s going to be one of inclusion because my whole idea of running for lt. governor is to be able to bring people together. So I’m going to talk about issues that I believe matter to people. And, yes, we’re going to put together a strong grassroots campaign, we’re going to hit this whole state, and once people know who I am and what I stand for, I’ll stand out very good among the candidates that are in this race.

TMT: What are some of those issues that matter to people? What is the population of Missouri hungry for?

TP: We need to do more for our seniors, our veterans. We need to make sure our children have access to quality education, and our citizens have access to quality healthcare. We’ve got to do something to fix our roads and our bridges. This is a dangerous state to drive across. So I can promote those issues, drive home the fact that fixing roads and bridges aren’t free. Someone’s got to pay for it. How do we do it? We need to come together and figure it out.

TMT: Do you have any specific proposals to address those concerns.

TP: No, I don’t.

TMT: What efforts have you made already to get your name out?

TP: I’ve been on a number of media outlets. The Labor Tribune, the St. Louis American, which is one of the largest black newspapers, Politically Speaking on St. Louis Public Radio, Joplin Globe, and the Missouri Viewpoint, and we continue to move along on those media outlets and continue to gain name recognition.

TMT: You also mentioned your history as being someone who has lived on farms, and someone who currently is extremely active in the labor movement. You seem to have a very blue collar appeal, and Missouri seems to flock to those kinds of Democrats. Do you think that will give you an advantage in the upcoming race?

TP: I think it will. The lt. governor’s seat is not one where you set policies on issues. I’ve also been selected by CBTU (Coalition of Black Trade Unionists). I think most of the labor unions will endorse my candidacy because I worked at General Motors for 32 years, so I worked in union shops for 32 years, I’m a union rep. myself. So I understand the labor movement and I also understand the importance of farmers and all other sectors of the state.

TMT: Is there anything you’d like to add?

TP: The only thing I will say is that I represent a different kind of candidacy, and that is, I am not beholden to any group, organization, any particular individual. We are a people-driven candidacy, and we are going to be beholden to one group , and that is every citizen of this state, doing whatever we need to do. And to be elected lt. governor, I will go where ever I need to go to speak to people and to hear their issues from the lt. governor’s point of view.