JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Today, State Senator Will Kraus (R-Lee’s Summit) will file to run for re-election to the District 8 State Senate seat he has held since 2011. Sen. Kraus represents Eastern Jackson County including Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, Lone Jack, Lake Lotowana, Lake Tapawingo, and part of Independence.
“It has been a pleasure to serve the citizens of the 8th District for the last three years,” said Sen. Kraus. “I look forward to getting a chance to discuss my record and accomplishments as we approach the August primary and November general election.”
Kraus serves as the chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee which handles most tax related issues in the Senate. He was instrumental in passing the first income tax rate cuts in almost 100 years during the 2013 session.
“Providing broad-based tax relief for all Missouri taxpayers has been my goal for the last two years,” said Sen. Kraus. “While the governor vetoed last year’s tax reform, I will continue to work to get a tax rate cut into law.”
Kraus, also currently serving as a Major in the Missouri National Guard, has sponsored many bills supporting military members and veterans that have become law. Last year Sen. Kraus pushed legislation to make it easier for deployed military members to vote, to create Veteran’s Treatment Courts, and to provide in-state tuition for separating military members who live in Missouri.
“As a veteran, and the vice-chair of the Missouri Military Preparedness and Enhancement Commission (MMPEC), one of my main focuses is to make Missouri more military and veteran friendly,” said Sen. Kraus. “Last year the General Assembly passed every MMPEC priority, and I was proud to take a key role in getting that done.”
Sen. Kraus has also focused on election issues as a member of the Senate Financial and Governmental Organizations and Elections Committee. He is the Senate sponsor, and handler of the House bills, to require photo identification to vote.
He sponsored legislation to remove the June election date and limit February elections in an effort to save taxpayer dollars. He has also filed legislation to reform Missouri’s ethics and campaign laws.
Since joining the Senate, Kraus has won awards from several organizations including the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Locke and Smith Foundation.
