RAYMORE, Mo. – Veteran, local businessman, and farmer Mike Haffner filed today as a Republican candidate for the Missouri State House of Representatives in the 55th Legislative District. Due to current State Rep. Rick Brattin being term-limited the seat is open for the 2018 election cycle.
Haffner stated, “I am excited to announce my candidacy for the 55th Legislative District. Service is a part of who I am. For twenty years I served this great country as an F/A-18 fighter pilot and commanding officer of an F/A-18 Hornet squadron in the United States Navy. This is a tremendous opportunity to continue serving the people of Cass County who I have gotten to know very well throughout the years as the owner-operator of Pumpkins and Pines Christmas Tree Farm. I promise to bring the same level of leadership, skill, and determination that brought me safely through three combat deployments, to the people of the 55th District.”
This is Haffner’s first time running for public office. He retired from the U.S. Navy as a Commander after twenty years of service flying the A-6 Intruder as well as the F/A-18 Hornet and serving as the commanding officer of an F/A-18 Squadron. His tenure in the Navy included three combat deployments and numerous individual combat awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross. As the Commanding Officer of an F/A-18 squadron he led his command through an arduous extended combat deployment. He also flew combat air patrols in the skies over New York City immediately after September 11.
Since retiring from the Navy he has owned and operated Pumpkins and Pines Christmas Tree Farm near Pleasant Hill, Missouri for 17 years. In this role he has optimized the farming operation, producing more healthy trees at a faster rate which is reflected by increased sales. The real reward though is serving thousands of families every year by helping them create lifelong, happy Christmas memories.
Once elected, Haffner’s priorities will be to protect the right-to-life, defend the 2nd Amendment, and work to reduce burdensome regulations on small businesses. He wants to cut taxes and continue reforming Missouri’s convoluted tax system. “I am happy to see the Missouri Legislature tackle tax reform this year, and I look forward to continuing that work once elected. Taxpayers deserve more.”
Haffner is a highly decorated Naval Officer and a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He has served as an elder and treasurer of his church. Haffner and his wife Teresa have been married 30 years and have 3 children and 1 grandchild.
