Small business-owner and former Springfield City Councilman Craig Fishel has announced his candidacy for Representative of House District 136, which encompasses the Southeast corner of Greene County. Fishel seeks the seat currently held by Kevin Austin, who is not running again for Representative.
“It has been the highest honor of my career to be able to serve in the leadership roles that my fellow Springfield residents entrusted me with,” said Fishel, “I now seek to be their voice and their representative in our state’s capitol. I am thankful for the great leadership that my friend, Representative Austin, has provided the people of the district these past years. I will ensure that our community continues to have a representative who is receptive to the needs of its citizens and the region.”
Fishel, a graduate of Missouri State University, was originally elected to Springfield City Council in 2013 and was reelected to a second term in 2017. He resigned in February in order to run for state representative. He is also the owner and operator of Fishel Pools. For over 42 years, he has serviced the Springfield area with custom built commercial and residential pools.
Fishel remarked on the challenges facing small-business owners, “small-business owners make up the lion’s share of the U.S. economy, employing more people and creating more jobs as a result of their passion and drive. I have had to work relentlessly in order to deliver quality results to my customers and to provide for my employees. Oftentimes, this can mean swimming upstream against a torrent of government regulations and overreach. We don’t need more job-killing regulations, but investment in infrastructure and education to encourage business creation and job growth.”
Fishel and his wife, Donna, have been married for 29 years. They are the proud parents of two children: Ryan and Lyndie. Ryan is married to Shanna and helps run the family business and has two children of his own, Max and Millie. Lyndie recently graduated from the University of Missouri and will be pursuing her master’s degree in psychology starting in the Fall. The family attends Springfield Second Baptist Church. Prior to his service on city council, Fishel was a frequent volunteer for the local Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts, empowering the young men and women of the area and helping to foster the next generation of future leaders. “My wife and I support all activities relating to children, that is our passion,” said Fishel.
Fishel’s legislative priorities include making state improvements to infrastructure, slash harmful regulations on small businesses, and to support Missouri State University and Ozarks Technical Community College.
“Our region is very lucky to have two outstanding schools in Missouri State University and Ozarks Technical Community College,” said Fishel, “not only do they provide immense benefits to the region, but to the entire state as well, and we must ensure these schools continue to be a model of academic excellence. Furthermore, we must fight to fix Missouri’s transportation funding crisis by pursuing smart solutions. By growing our skilled workforce, improving our transportation networks, and encouraging business growth, we will create a stronger, more vibrant economy.”
Fishel has also promised to stand up for the rights of the unborn and the rights of gun-owners as a state representative, “I am 100% pro-life and pro-second amendment, I believe that we should do everything in our power to ensure that future generations have access to our God-given rights.”
Fishel has retained Axiom Strategies to serve as consultants on his campaign.
