Get to know: Skylar Smith, Republican Primary Candidate for Missouri Representative District 10

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Skylar Smith, a longtime St. Joseph resident who is currently in the process of becoming a lawyer, looks to be the next Missouri House Representative for District 10.

He also values lessons from his time at Missouri Western and the community and hopes to use them on his journey.

Smith's decision to run wasn't just about making it to Jefferson City to be a lawmaker; he explained that he wants to assist those who helped raise him.

"Whenever I was thinking about running, I bounced the idea around with a couple of friends and family," Smith said. "What it really boiled down to was, like most people from here, I want to see my hometown thrive. I want our community to do well."

Some of Smith's campaign points are defending life, the Second Amendment and supporting community-based solutions to crime.

"Electing the people that want the best for our community and have the ability to make restorative change, not just change for the sake of change," Smith shared. "But things that get us back to what made St. Joseph a great community to begin with."

If elected to Jefferson City, Smith would also like to advocate for youth programs and recreation access. Along with backing tort reform to protect small businesses, which is to bring changes in the civil justice system in common law.

"People deserve tax relief. Taxes are way too high, property taxes, personal property taxes especially, and to reduce those burdens," Smith told KQ2. "We need to start spending taxpayer money better, having our priorities reevaluated at the state level and just stop with all the frivolous spending."

Skylar Smith is a Republican primary option on the Aug. 4 ballot for the Missouri House of Representatives District 10, along with Paul Gatewood, also from St. Joseph.

To learn more about Smith's campaign, click here.