JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The special election to replace the outgoing Rep. John McCaherty may be months away, but that doesn’t mean the candidates are resting easily.
Right now, two candidates have thrown their hats into the ring to replace McCaherty, who left office to run for Jefferson County Executive in September. In theory, more could still join the race, as the filing deadline to enter is over a month away (Dec. 5, 2017)
Republican David Linton and Democrat Mike Revis, both from Fenton, hope to be the next state representative for House District 97.
Linton comes into the race as a practiced attorney, selected by the Republican committee in late October and representing what he calls constitutional conservative values. He has a degree in engineering, law, and theology, all of Missouri schools, and has worked for utility companies like Ameren and ITC Great Plains. He now works in his own firm.
Linton joins the race, mirroring the footsteps of his father, the former Rep. Bill Linton. His platform mirrors that of other Republicans in the Show-Me State, calling for less government and more freedom. He says that, if elected representative, he will work to grow the economy by “keeping government out of the way” in order to create more jobs, reduce the burden of taxes on Missouri families, and defend the citizens’ constitutional rights and protect the lives of the unborn.
Revis enters as the younger opponent, a moderate Democrat and member of the NRA who interned for former Gov. Jay Nixon through the Civic Leaders Internship Program, and now works for Anheuser-Busch after a stint with Amazon right out of college.
Revis comes from a working-class family, raised as the son of a carpenter and a teacher, saying he recognizes the value of hard work and how labor unions helped shape the middle class. Revis is a graduate of the University of Missouri, with a degree in Business Administration, specializing in marketing.
Both candidates are kicking off their campaigns in the coming weeks, with Revis’ kickoff coming just a day before Linton’s. Revis’ event will be held at Grand Slam in Fenton on Nov. 15 from 6-8 p.m. Linton’s is scheduled for the next night.
The special election for HD 97 is scheduled to take place on Feb. 6, 2018.
Benjamin Peters was a reporter for The Missouri Times and Missouri Times Magazine and also produced the #MoLeg Podcast. He joined The Missouri Times in 2016 after working as a sports editor and TV news producer in mid-Missouri. Benjamin is a graduate of Missouri State University in Springfield.
