JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – State senator and cattle farmer Mike Parson received a strong endorsement from the agriculture industry Wednesday when the Missouri Cattleman’s Association (MCA) announced they would support his bid.
Parson met with a group of about two dozen men and women from the MCA outside the Capitol to thank them for their endorsement.
“I’m humbled the Cattleman’s Association has come out to endorse me,” Parson said. “I hope I can meet all of their expectations.”
Parson added that should he be elected lt. governor, he would like to use the position of the office to promote the state’s agriculture industry.
“I think more than just owning cattle, is this organization and how much it’s done for farmers in this state,” Parson said. “If you go back to Proposition B or Right to Farm, how important those issues were for us. I think the Cattleman’s have been one of those organizations that understand what that lifestyle’s about and what it means to preserve it and how important that is.”
MCA President Keith Stevens said that with all Parson had done in the past for agriculture, it made sense to give him their endorsement.
“I think he’s got the right background to support agriculture,” Stevens said. “He’s done a lot of great things for the future of our industry.”
Stevens also noted that Parson’s role as the only active farmer running for statewide office was a credit to his candidacy. Parson owns a cattle farm just outside Bolivar in Southwest Missouri.
Parson is currently running against Missouri Club for Growth President Bev Randles for the Republican nomination.
