Mike Jones looks to bring maintenance background to Jefferson City in Senate District 34 Race

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Mike Jones is the Republican candidate for Missouri State Senate District 34 after he won the Republican Primary in August.

He now faces Democrat Shereka Barnes in the November general election.

Jones currently serves in the Missouri House of Representatives for District 12, which represents part of Platte County.

He's been in maintenance his whole life, working on everything from airplanes in the Air Force to cranes to dialysis machines, and said he got into politics to relieve burdens on working families.

"I'd been in maintenance my whole life, never been involved in politics," Jones said. "But I got into this to do good for the people."

Jones said his decision to run came from a personal place, as he began looking into what the state of Missouri was doing for 100% permanently and totally disabled veterans when it came to property taxes, and found the answer was nothing.

"I checked in to see what the state of Missouri is doing for our 100% permanently and totally disabled veterans," he said. "The answer to that question was nothing. So I jumped in."

Jones said his top priorities are property tax relief, lowering the cost of buying a home and public safety.

He's been knocking on doors five days a week and sad the same concerns come up at nearly every stop.

"It seems like everybody I talk to, it's the same answer as far as what's bothering them and their family," he said. "It's always cost of living, property taxes, public safety. I think everybody feels like things could be a little safer in the neighborhoods and the communities."

On housing costs, Jones points to regulations that drive up the price of new homes.

He said the average price of a new home is around $400,000, and roughly $140,000 of that comes from regulations and red tape, things like green energy mandates requiring builders to wire homes for EVs or solar and install the most expensive windows.

"We can take a scalpel and start trying to cut away some of these regulations and this red tape that has raised the cost of buying a home," he said. "At least try to make it more attainable for folks."

He said the problem is compounded because builders don't want to build in places with these mandates, and the requirements are starting to spread across the state.

"Every $1,000 the cost of a home goes up, it eliminates about 2,000 Missourians from being able to afford it," Jones said. "These regulations are a silent killer of not only the economy, but people being able to afford everyday things, especially something like a home that's vital."

On property taxes, Jones said assessments have gone up dramatically in Platte County, and people aren't prepared for the increases.

"Whether you're in St. Joe or Parkville, assessments and property taxes continue to go up every year," he said. "It's a huge burden on folks. Property taxes is just another added burden that we can certainly affect at the state level and bring some relief to folks."

On public safety, Jones points to legislation he's championed in the House, including a drone bill that authorizes law enforcement to electronically take control of unauthorized drones over large crowds, and a school bus stop-arm bill that puts mandatory minimums on drivers who blow past school buses loading and unloading kids.

"I've really championed a lot of public safety bills," he said. "I've gotten a few to the governor's desk."

When asked why voters should choose him in November, Jones returns to his dedication to doing the work and listening to voters.

"Knocking on the doors and being in the neighborhoods, doing the work that I think it takes to properly represent a community," he said. "That's the reason to vote for me."

Jones said his campaign will stay focused on talking to voters through the general election.

"Not only listening, but responding when people have questions and when people reach out to you, and not just being absent," he said. "It's pretty simple, really. Just talk to people. Listen."

Mike Jones will face Democrat Shereka Barnes on the November ballot.