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EXIT SURVEY: Rep. Shawn Rhoads, 154th District

Rep. Shawn Rhoads departs the state house after three terms to take an education gig. Rhoads is known as a strong chairman and integral member of the Republican caucus.

Q: What’s the best lesson learned or advice you received as a legislator?

A: To learn as much as possible in the short time you are there.

Q: What would you say your greatest accomplishment as a lawmaker would be?

A: I would hope that I made a name for myself as being fair, honest and have the integrity to rank with the many other Missourians who served in this body.

Q: What’s the funniest story you have from your time in the legislature?

A: Too many to just pick one

Q: Who do you most admire as a legislator?

A: Lt. Gov Kehoe. He is able to work out things on that Senate floor that most would have just walked away. This year, he and I had a pretty good argument about some legislation and I feel we both responded to that incident in a fair and honorable manner.

Q: What will you do next?

A: I am the Director of Outreach for the Missouri School Board Association

Q: What will you miss most?

A: Making history in some way. It happens every year in that building.

Q: What was the toughest moment or decision for you personally as a state lawmaker?

A: Voting non-CBD oil

Q: What do you see as the top issues for Missouri going forward?

A: 1. Rural broadband

2. School safety

3. Economic development

Q: What is one piece of advice you would share with the younger legislators still in office or those looking to run for office?

A: Give it 100 percent, because before you know it, you are termed out.

Q: If you could change one thing about the legislature, what would it be?

A: Term limits.

Q: Would you consider running for any other offices in the future?

A: I never can rule it out.

Q: If you could have a one-on-one conversation with your voters, what’s the one thing you want them to know about you?

A: That I worked hard for them

Q: How has this role of serving changed you?

A: I have had an adult career of serving the public, so I hope I’m the same guy I was back in 2012.

Q: What do you hope you will be remembered for?

A: I would love to be remembered as a Rules Chairman that people might compare to Gov. Mike Parson and Shannon Cooper.

Q: What’s one piece of legislation that should be passed but hasn’t?

A: Deregulating schools. We have to give people the freedom to teach our kids.

 

This appeared in the fall 2018 edition of the Missouri Times Magazine, available in Jefferson City at the Capitol, Tolson’s, Cork, and J. Pfenny’s, and online here.