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Gregory Powers
Gregory Powers (Republican Party) ran for election to the Missouri State Senate to represent District 24. He lost in the general election on November 6, 2018.
Powers completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2018. Click here to read the survey answers.
Elections
2018
- See also: Missouri State Senate elections, 2018
General election
Incumbent Jill Schupp defeated Gregory Powers and Jim Higgins in the general election for Missouri State Senate District 24 on November 6, 2018.
General election
General election for Missouri State Senate District 24
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jill Schupp (D) | 60.9 | 51,106 |
 | Gregory Powers (R)  | 37.1 | 31,153 | |
 | Jim Higgins (L) | 2.0 | 1,708 | |
| Total votes: 83,967 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Republican primary election
Campaign themes
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Gregory Powers completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Powers' responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
Health care Prudent Government Spending Limiting Campaign period and spending
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Education is extremely important and we need to get politics out of it allowing good teachers to teach.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
I looked up to my parents who were very kind, generous and nurturing.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
There are many books and people should read a variety of them. If you have questions try to find answers by exploring different opinions on the subjects.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
An elected official represents all of the people in his or her political subdivision and needs to listen and learn.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I try to be open, honest and respectful. Listening and asking questions will let me come to the best decisions possible realizing not everyone will agree but hopefully understand my position.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Serve the constituents I represent and not lobbyist and political party for controlling decisions.
What legacy would you like to leave?
That I am fair and honest.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
I will never forget when John F. Kennedy was assassinated when I was 13 years old. The idea of the President being killed is something I never thought possible.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
I worked in a Pancake House. The restaurant received a "c" rating and it had to be cleaned to get back to an "a" rating. I had to do things I could not fathom doing. Working my way from cleaning the restaurant to being a busboy, dishwasher and finally a cook was an experience I will never forget.
What happened on your most awkward date?
Being a gentleman like my father I never had an awkward date (that I remember).
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Christmas because it is family time. We still get together (as many as possible) to celebrate taking turns to host the always growing family.
What is your favorite book? Why?
I think about "To Kill a Mockingbird" and how much can be learned from the story. The world has changed but thinking about Atticus Finch and everything he did is my idea of a person with integrity. Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn were great for exploring imagination while being young.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
James Bond.
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
When we have Sunday dinner with my children and grandchildren and any guest who may appear.
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
Trying to get everything done.
Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?
The State Senate and Representatives have to work together. There are different duties but ultimately have to work for the people they represent.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?
Everything would be simpler if unicameral without the political posturing and power struggles.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
How do you get it without getting elected in the first time?
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
Keeping spending in line. There are too many special interest groups trying to get money, tax breaks and other deals.
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
They need to work together. Talking down to others or not showing respect does not get what needs to be done.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
Yes. Learn to respect one another and share ideas. The word compromise is not a dirty word.
What process do you favor for redistricting?
It should not be political with the party in power trying to retain control.
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
Education, health and any big spending committee.
If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?
If I were in leadership my goal would be to include as many legislators in any plans being discussed.
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
When I was young my mother had us meet at help elected officials including at the polls. The people I think of were always very respectful.
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
I do not have any plans to run for other offices unless I am not successful this time.
Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?
There are many. I am more concerned about the bad stories I hear.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
External links
Footnotes
