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Deaton, conservative leader, running for state representative

NOEL, MO – Dirk Deaton, a Republican, has announced his candidacy for the 159th district of the Missouri House of Representatives. The district encompasses all of McDonald County and portions of southern Newton County. Deaton is running for the seat now held by Rep. Bill Lant (R-Pineville) whose final term will end in 2018.

Deaton, a life-long resident of McDonald County, graduated with his Bachelors of Science from Liberty University, where he focused on the study of religion and theology. Prior to earning his degree from Liberty, Deaton also attended Crowder College and Missouri Southern State University.

Deaton states, “While it is important to know how to make law, I believe it is more important to know where law ultimately comes from. Law and life originated with the Creator.” Deaton went on to say this is what informs his position of upholding the dignity of every human life, “Ultimately, if government has any legitimate function it must be to protect life, and for me, that means from conception to natural death.”

Deaton

For the past 10 years Deaton has been continuously involved in gospel ministry, preaching hundreds of times throughout the local area, and he continues to do so on a regular basis.

In addition to being a member of many community groups, Deaton is currently the president of the McDonald County Republican Club. The Republican Club is one of the most active political groups in all of Southwest Missouri. During his time as president, Republicans have continued to hold every elective county office. In 2016, Deaton championed the party’s local efforts, which led to historic margins of victory. McDonald County was among the highest performing Republican counties in the state.

In 2011, Deaton co-founded the Noel Betterment Association, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit, civic group, created for the betterment of the local community. Since 2013, Deaton was chairman until he completed his final term at the end of 2016. “There wasn’t a community-run organization actively operating in our area, so we created the Noel Betterment Association to fill that void.”
Deaton is a true conservative whose ultimate agenda is to hold state government and the bureaucracy to the confines of the constitution. “I’m for limited government.,” he said. “It’s not a platitude for me. I’m a true believer in the conservative cause.”

If elected, Deaton would also like to address economic development, especially for rural communities such as his. “Government cannot create jobs or wealth, but they can stand in the way and prevent job creation and destroy wealth. Ultimately, I am running to bring the principles of limited government to Jefferson City, that by them we might unleash prosperity and protect our rights as free people.”

Deaton has retained Axiom Strategies to consult on his campaign.