By Sherah Farris

In the world of Missouri politics, the battle lines are drawn, and the Republican Party is at a crossroads.

Speaker of the House Dean Plocher, in his bid for election, seems to be betting on winning over moderate Republicans, but at what cost? It’s a move that threatens to alienate the very base of the party he claims to represent.

In recent years, the Republican Party in Missouri has held a supermajority in both the state House and Senate. Yet, to the dismay of many conservatives, this majority has failed to push through substantive conservative policies. Instead, the Jefferson City political class appears to prioritize special interests and lobbyist friends over the demands of their conservative base. This disconnect between elected officials and their constituents has left many conservatives disillusioned and seeking an alternative.

Enter Dean Plocher, who has positioned himself as a candidate appealing to the moderate and lobbyist wing of the Republican Party. While this may be a strategic move to secure the upcoming Republican primary, it raises questions about where his true allegiances lie.

Plocher’s actions have isolated him from conservatives within his own party. As Speaker of the House, he has consistently voted in favor of increasing the state budget, and against conservative legislation aimed at reducing the size and scale of government. This pattern of behavior does not align with the values of grassroots activists and fiscal hawks in Missouri who are looking for a candidate committed to curbing spending in Jefferson City, not enabling it.

For years, fiscal hawk groups have painted Dean Plocher as a tax-and-spend liberal. It’s time for voters to take a closer look at his record. Plocher holds a lifetime score of 54 with the fiscal watch group Club for Growth, a score that should give pause to any conservative voter considering him as a frontrunner in the 2024 lieutenant governor Republican primary.

Let’s take a moment to examine some key bills that raise concerns about Plocher’s conservative credentials:

1. He voted for SB 262, which increased the state gas tax by a whopping 75%. This move directly contradicts the conservative principle of fiscal responsibility.
2. Plocher supported SB 672, a bill that subsidized government-favored workforce programs. While workforce development is essential, it must be done without expanding government and increasing taxpayer burden.
3. He also voted for SB 631, a bill that critics argue weakens election integrity by expanding absentee voting. Conservatives are rightfully concerned about the integrity of our elections and the need for secure voting processes.

Dean Plocher may be trying to position himself as a moderate candidate appealing to a broad coalition of Republicans, but his record tells a different story. He represents Jefferson City, the establishment, and special interests, not the conservative values that many Missouri voters hold dear.

As we approach the 2024 lieutenant governor Republican primary, it’s crucial for conservative voters to carefully consider the record and actions of the candidates. Plocher’s bid for moderate Republican support may win him some allies, but it also risks alienating the very base of the party he should be representing. The electorate wants a candidate they can count on to uphold conservative principles and prioritize responsible governance over political expediency.

Sherah Farris is a grassroots activist in Purdy, Missouri.