Name: John Leykamp
Age: 69
Hometown: Centralia
Occupation: Farmer/small business owner
Position sought: State Senate-District 18
Previous political experience: None
Why are you running and why should people vote for you?
When people ask me that, my first response is that I'm angry with the way our federal government is being run and it seems that our state politicians fall in-line with the same foolishness. Then the more I think about that question, I come to realize that the real reason I am running is to help people. I have learned through the years to listen to folks, hear their problems, needs and wants and then try to find a solution that helps them to have a better life. It seems that anymore politicians only help the wealthy and large corporations. I'm running to help the people.
What are your goals if elected?
Invest in our public schools. We need a better educated workforce! With better education, our state will attract better jobs, higher pay, better life. Our state ranks 49th in state funding per student. We need to help make trade school, 2 and 4 year college education more accessible for all Missouri students. Healthcare for all! We need to fund healthcare to keep our already struggling rural healthcare available. We need to stop politicians from going after our personal life choices. End dark money! Hawaii has just passed a state law to stop corporate money from being in state politics. Montana and half a dozen other states have a similar law in the works. Stop Citizen United! Make politicians stop working for the wealthy and start working for the people.
What issues are most pressing for your constituency?
Funding public education, our local schools are the backbone and identity of our rural towns. Healthcare for all! Our rural communities are struggling to keep good healthcare local.
Protect personal life choices! Keep ICE out of Missouri's communities, protect all people's rights. Affordability! Groceries, fuel, utilities, housing, childcare, insurance are rising far faster than people's income!
