Local small-business owner and police veteran Barry Hovis has announced his candidacy to replace term-limited Rep. Donna Lichtenegger. The district covers the City of Jackson and most of Cape Girardeau County. Hovis recently retired after serving the community for 30 years with the Cape Girardeau Police Department, having achieved the rank Lieutenant of Support Operations Division.
Hovis commented, “I grew up on a family farm where we raised cattle and also operated our family’s sawmill. After moving to Cape Girardeau County, I began my tenure with the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Here, I served our community in a variety of roles, which allowed me the opportunity to get to know the people of Southeast Missouri. I have always fought to protect the rights of the people of this state and now I want to advocate for them in Jefferson City.”
Hovis and his wife, Laura, live just outside of Gordonville where they raised their three children Erica, Adam and Anna. Erica and her husband, Ben, live and work in Cape Girardeau County, while Adam and Anna are still in the home and attend school in Jackson. The Hovis family attends Lynwood Baptist Church where Barry and Laura teach Sunday school class to third graders.
“Having grown up on a farm, I knew that this was a place where hard-work could get a person ahead,” Barry said, “but I also learned that with every blessing I received, I had to give back to my community. I always knew what mattered—being prepared to help others in need.”
No stranger to service, Hovis was elected to the State Board of Local and Government Retirement System (LAGERS) in 2011. While serving on the board, he was elected Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chairman of the Legislative Committee and also served as a member of the Disability Sub-Committee.
“I knew that in my role as board member, we were dealing with the livelihoods of tens of thousands of people. It’s no job for the faint of heart, but I always knew why I was there—to serve the working men and women of our community.”
Hovis is a member of the NRA and Missouri Farm Bureau, and is active with various local organizations, including the local pachyderm club and the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, he served as a member of the Cape Girardeau County Emergency 911 board and was a founding member and former-president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 33, now known as Lodge 51.
“I look forward to meeting the people of our district and listening to their ideas and concerns. I would be honored to serve the people of District 146.” Hovis went on to say, “I know that my life experiences, work ethic, and desire to serve have prepared me for this next chapter in serving my community.”
Hovis has retained Axiom Strategies to consult on his campaign.
