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Bondon launches Senate bid with 5 county tour

Republican state Rep. Jack Bondon officially launched his bid for the upper chamber by visiting all five counties in the district he hopes to represent in 48 hours.

Bondon is making a bid for SD 31 — a seat currently held by term-limited Sen. Ed Emery. 

“I am running because I consider it an obligation of a good citizen to serve your friends and neighbors with the talents you have. Some people become teachers, some people become firefighters, some people become police officers. The way I think I can help and serve people is by being their eyes and ears [in Jefferson City], by being their voice, to speak for them, to stand up for them,” Bondon, who is in his third term in the House, told The Missouri Times. “It’s a call to service. I genuinely love what I do. It is not always easy but I believe I have done a good job of helping shape policy [and] passing laws that have streamlined government and created opportunities for investment in our state.” 

Rep. Jack Bondon kicks off his SD 31 bid with a five-county tour (PROVIDED).

On Friday and Saturday, the Belton native visited Caps Cabin in Lamar, Rotary Hall in Clinton, Amsterdam Jubilee & Parade in Amsterdam, Precision Coffee in Nevada, and the Papinville Pie Auction in Papinville. All in all, Bondon visited Barton, Bates, Cass, Henry, and Vernon counties.

In an email to The Missouri Times, campaign officials noted a larger than expected turn out at his events showcasing the operation — from organization to grassroots to hard workers — Bondon has set up. 

“I frankly love grassroots campaigning,” Bondon said. “I am going to continue going out and working hard. I will not be outworked.”

The race for SD 31 is expected to be competitive. State Rep. Donna Pfautsch has plans to run as well and has more than $18,000 cash on hand; former state Rep. Rick Brattin is expected to officially announce his candidacy later this week and has $4.52 cash on hand.

The Brattin Brigade PAC, which supports the Cass County auditor, has $100,000 cash on hand.

In comparison, Bondon had nearly $132,000 cash on hand as reported in the July quarterly filings.

In his five years in the House, Bondon has pushed for legislation that, in his words, streamlines, reforms, and updates the state’s regulatory environment; promotes policies to support low-cost energy; and returns local control to the people.

While in the legislature, Bondon has championed updating Medicaid per diem reimbursement rates if facilities invest in improvements, changes to the link deposit limits, requiring wholesalers comes into physical possession of alcohol, and more.

He chairs the Missouri Health Facilities Review Committee, which oversees the certificate of need program.

“I believe I am the best person to serve as the next senator of the 31st district,” Bondon said.     

Bondon has earned a number of awards and recognitions in his five years of service including: House Freshman Legislator of the Year, “A Defender of Liberty Award” by the Missouri Alliance for Freedom, the Missouri Health Policy Leadership Award, The Missouri State Teacher’s Association’s Legislator of the Year, Missouri Farm Bureau’s Friend of Agriculture award, and the American Conservative Union’s Conservative Excellence award. In 2018, Bondon was recognized for his advocacy on behalf of the folks at Missouri’s Sheltered Workshops.