Roy Blunt for United States Senate!

Posted on 2009-02-19

Teacher, Election Official, University President, Legislator; Says Common Sense and Basic Values in the Senate are Vital for Missouri’s Future

ST. LOUIS – Roy Blunt began his public service as a classroom teacher, and today chose a university learning center to announce he will seek election as United States Senator for Missouri.
Underscoring his diverse service as a teacher, local and state election official, university president and legislator, Roy is traveling Missouri to meet with voters and the news media at a college campus, the State Capitol, and other locations.

“The Senate is where the real battles will be fought for America’s future. It is where every voice must be heard,” Roy said. “One-party control in Washington has created a dramatically new setting. Common sense and open debate are in danger of being suppressed by the overreaching liberal monopoly in Congress and the White House. Never has Washington been in greater need of hearing from people who work hard, pay their taxes, and want solutions to urgent economic problems and the ongoing threat of terrorism.

“I know how to fight for Missouri. I have fought and won many battles, including bipartisan solutions to difficult challenges. Those victories include guiding into law the largest tax cut for working families in U.S. history. At a time when the only obstacle to one-party rule is 41 Republicans in the Senate, I will need no on-the-job training. I will insist from Day One on speaking up for Missouri common sense, insisting on real accountability to taxpayers, and solving problems by looking to the people, not to bigger government and deficit spending that now is running totally out of control.

“The real world experience I offer includes public service and the private sector, where most people earn their living and support their families. I grew up in a typical hard-working Missouri family, where my parents worked hard to make ends meet. My first job after college was teaching high school history. The people later elected me as the local election official in Greene County, and then Secretary of State. I led a vibrant university. Most recently, I have worked for Missouri families in the U.S. House of Representatives.”

Roy is announcing his “campaign for the people” on a three-day statewide tour beginning Thursday in St. Louis, Jefferson City, Cape Girardeau and Carthage. Additional stops are planned Friday and Saturday.

A fifth-generation Missourian, Roy Blunt grew up on working dairy farms, and attended public schools in southwest Missouri. He chose classroom teaching as his career, starting with a job teaching high school history. His success in teaching and as a community leader led to service as Greene County Clerk and Chief Election Official, where he served four terms before his election as Missouri Secretary of State. He was the first Republican elected Secretary of State in Missouri in more than 50 years. He was re-elected in a landslide gathering more than 60 percent of the vote and winning 107 of the 114 counties.

After serving as Missouri’s Secretary of State, Roy returned to education, serving four years as president of Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, his alma mater. In 1996, Roy sought his party's nomination to represent the 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House. The people have chosen him to represent them seven times, most recently in 2008, with a 68 percent majority.

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