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Sen. Eric Schmitt announces his candidacy for state treasurer

eric-schmitt

St. Louis – Republican state Senator Eric Schmitt of Glendale announced his candidacy today to become Missouri State Treasurer on the Mark Reardon Show.

“Service to others has always come first in my professional life,” Schmitt said. “I’m running for Treasurer because this is the office where I believe I can make the biggest difference on behalf of Missouri taxpayers by continuing to work on the job-creating policies I’ve fought for in the State Senate.”

In a press release, private sector job creation, taxpayer advocacy and fiscal responsibilities are highlighted as top priorities. The state senator has served as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Jobs, Economic Development and Local Government and has authored two large tax cut legislations – including the one that the legislature overrode the governor’s veto on this past session, which the release contends will help with the platform.

“I want this campaign to be a conversation with voters about how the Treasurer’s office can better serve them,” Schmitt said.  “The Treasurer’s office needs to take a more proactive role in protecting taxpayers. Whether it’s ensuring greater fiscal responsibility, providing greater analysis on the impact of proposed legislative polices, safeguarding the state’s AAA bond rating or ensuring the programs operated by the office are more efficient and transparent, these are all areas I intend to focus my efforts as Treasurer.”

Colleagues in the General Assembly immediately lent their support to Schmitt’s 2016 campaign.

“Eric will do a very good job as state treasurer,” Senate Pro Tem Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles, said. “As a senator he has done great work in economic development and tax policy. I have gone to him on many occasions to ask for his legal opinion and consider him a good friend.”

“I’ve worked closely with Senator Schmitt for the last two years,” Sen. Wayne Wallingford, R-Cape Girardeau, said. “I’ve found him to be very fair and open with a high level of integrity and would be an excellent candidate to run for state treasurer.”

“Eric Schmitt will be a great state treasurer. I consider him one of the leaders of the senate. I will be very supportive of Eric,” said Senator Doug Libla, R-Poplar Bluff.

“Senator Schmitt has been a champion for the taxpayers in the state senate and I cannot imagine a candidate better suited to be our state treasurer,” Rep. Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, said.

“I think Sen Schmitt is talented and shows great judgment. He would do well in any statewide job,” Asst. Majority Leader Rep. Mike Cierpiot, R-Lee’s Summit, said.

“I’ve worked with the treasurers office for years,” Rep. Kevin Engler, R-Farmington, said. “Managing the states investment 529 plans, unclaimed property and working with Missouri bankers is a big job. I can think of no one who would do a more ethical, responsible, and capable job.”

“Eric has been a great leader on economic issues and I’m sure he will do a great job as state treasurer,” Rep. Robert Cornejo, R-St. Charles, said.

“I respect Senator Schmitt and I think he will be a wonderful state treasurer.,” Rep. Rocky Miller, R-Tuscumbia, said. “He will be a conservative who will bring smart economic policies to the treasures office.”

“I think he will be great,” Rep. Scott Fitzpatrick, R-Shell Knob. “I’ve gotten to know him and he has carried several bills with me and he has always handled himself with the upmost integrity and everyone has a great deal of respect for. He will be great for the statewide ticket in 2016.”

“I think he would make an excellent Treasurer,” Rep. Noel Torpey, R-Independence, said. “I cant think of a better choice than Senator Schmitt running. He would be good for our party and for the whole state.”

The release touts many awards from conservative groups such as American Conservative Union and Americans for Prosperity and nonpartisan groups such as the Associated Industries of Missouri, Autism Society of America and National Federation of Independent Business.

Schmitt is a sixth generation Missourian who previously served as an alderman in Glendale, Missouri. He and his wife, Jamie, have three children – Stephen, Sophia, and Olivia.