George Hruza

George Hruza earned a high school diploma from Stuyvesant High School, a bachelor's degree from New York University in 1978, an M.D. from New York University School of Medicine in 1982, and a graduate degree from Washington University in 1998. His career experience includes working as a dermatologic surgeon and physician.[1][2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Escaped from socialist Czechoslovakia, became a dermatologist and president of the American Academy of Dermatology and Missouri State Medical Association. He is truly living the American Dream. He is a firm believer in individual liberty, responsibility and opportunity for all Missourians.

Rep. Hruza earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University in 1978, followed by a Doctor of Medicine degree in 1982. He earned his MBA from the Washington University Olin Business School in 1998.

With a career spanning decades, he is a board-certified dermatologist and micrographic dermatologic surgeon – taking care of patients with difficult skin cancers. Rep. Hruza has been listed as a top doctor for over 25 years and has contributed more than 200 publications to medical literature, including textbooks, even teaching dermatologic surgery on four continents, highlighting his extensive expertise and commitment to advancing dermatologic care. Rep. Hruza is Adjunct Professor of Dermatology at St. Louis University, and former Associate Professor of Internal Medicine (Dermatology), Otolaryngology and Surgery at Washington University.

Rep. Hruza is married to his wife, Carrie, and enjoys spending quality time with their children: Paul, Stephanie, Rose, and Hope. With a busy and fulfilling career, he is driven by a desire to serve his community in both his professional and legislative roles, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to his work in the Missouri House.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Economic Growth:

1. Eliminated Missouri's capital gains tax (enacted)

2. Property tax relief for seniors (enacted)

3. Reducing unnecessary red tape and government mandates (REINS Act)

4. Lower taxes on hard working Missourians (TABOR)Education

1. School choice (MO Scholars)

2. Eliminate cellphones in classrooms (enacted)

3. Improving student literacy (Phonics and Mississippi miracle principles)

4. Workforce Development with college alternate pathways to work

5. Jewish student safety in public K-20 schools (enacted)Putting Missouri families first:

1. Childcare private-public partnership

2. Including parents in their children's education

3. Eliminated sales tax on diapers, feminine hygiene products, incontinence products (enacted)

4. Medicaid 1 year of mother post-partum coverage expanded

5. 1 year of contraceptive single prescription coverage.

6. Medicaid doula services added

7. Medicaid hearing aids and cochlear implants added.

8. Improved access to anesthesia, hospital lab tests, epinephrine delivery devices and pharmaceuticals from out of state distributors (enacted)

9. Sick leave for national guardsmen who do live transplant donations

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Free markets with the government puts in place a level playing field and then gets out of the way along with a safety net for those that are not able to participate fully in a robust free-market economy

Antisemitism incidents have increased dramatically in the U.S. since October 7, 2023 Hamas massacre, rape, torture and hostage taking. I will continue to fight antisemitism anywhere it rears its ugly head.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Missouri Fraternal Order of Police

The Police Chiefs Legislative Coalition

Missouri Freedom Principle

Missouri Cattlemen's Association

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

George Jiri Hruza, son of a holocaust survivor, arrived in New York at age 14 from socialist totalitarian Czechoslovakia with his family and a suitcase. Both his parents and sister have had successful careers as physicians. He is a physician specializing in dermatology and Mohs micrographic surgery in St. Louis, Missouri. He has taken care of tens of thousands of patients with difficult-to-treat skin cancers from the St. Louis region and as far away as Australia. He has taught dermatologic surgery to many residents, fellows and dermatologists on five continents. He has published five textbooks on dermatologic and laser surgery and more than 190 scientific articles and book chapters in medical literature. He has been on the "Best Doctors' list in St. Louis magazine for 25 years running. He has advocated for patients with regulators and legislators at the federal and Missouri state levels for more than two decades and during his presidencies of the American Academy of Dermatology/Association, Missouri State Medical Association and St. Louis Metropolitan Medical Society. Dr. Hruza and his family have taken full advantage of the opportunities only available in the United States and are truly living the American Dream. He is running for office to make sure that all Missouri residents continue to have unlimited opportunity to pursue their American Dream.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Crime is on the rise in our region. Defunding police will not create better policing any more than defunding teachers would improve education. We need to increase support for police training and recruiting. We must restore respect for our men and women in blue and insist that our prosecutors actually prosecute criminals. George will work to put those that prey on our children, elderly and community at large are put behind bars. He believes that in a rush to give criminals rights we have voided victims' rights and that balance must be restored.Driven by massive government spending, prices of groceries and other everyday essentials are at a historic high hurting our Missouri families. To attract new businesses and help those struggling he will work to improve the state's business climate by opposing higher job killing taxes, reduce government spending by targeting and eliminating special interest pork barrel spending and cut burdensome and unfair government red tape and regulations. By reducing the cost of services to Missourians and creating a strong business environment, we can better survive the current national economic challenges.George supports reforming our education system to better prepare students for the workplace rather than merely preparing them for the next test. He will expand workforce development to help train and retrain people for jobs in high-demand industries. He supports a Parent's Bill of Rights that will require schools to promote transparency and parental involvement in their children's education along with robust school choice so that parents can have their children educated in the setting that is most appropriate for them.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

As a dermatologic surgeon at Washington University for a decade and subsequently in private practice in Town and Country and Chesterfield, I have been privileged to take care of tens of thousands of patients with difficult skin cancers, making a positive impact on their lives. Now is the time to expand my reach to help many more people by serving in the Missouri House of Representatives. I have seen firsthand the heavy-handed tactics insurers and our own government have exercised to interfere in the physician-patient relationship. Medical decisions belong between the patient and their physician. I am going to Jefferson City to fight for patient access to the physician of their choice, transparency in healthcare and high-quality care using free-market principles.

I grew up in a totalitarian state with an educational system permeated by government mandated orthodoxy, indoctrination, conformity, and constant fear of retribution. A huge strength of the U.S. is freedom of speech, freedom of expression, individual liberty, responsibility, meritocracy, diversity, and vigorous debate. I want to make sure that our educational system stays true to those ideals through transparency and robust school choice. Rev. Martin Luther King believed in a colorblind society where one is judged by the content of their

character, not by the color of their skin. That is a principle that puts the U.S. head and shoulders above many other countries and makes me propud to be an American.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Ronald Reagan, with his leadership he reduced government regulation and flattened the tax code, unleashing the entrepreneurial spirit resulting in a booming economy and unprecedented job creation. Personally, I look up to his fortitude dealing with the Soviet Union ("Evil Empire"), leading to its collapse and freeing my native Czechoslovakia from behind the Iron Curtain. His optimism and belief in the good of the individual is something I want to emulate and bring with me to the legislature to serve the residents of Missouri to improve their opportunity as they chase the American dream.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

On my campaign website, hruzaformissouri.com, there is a 6-minute mini-documentary that gives insight into my political philosophy.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Trustworthiness, leadership skills, have the interests of their constituents and other Missouri residents always front and center, "thick skin", humbleness, respect other legislators from both parties.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am trustworthy, humble, focused, a good listener, and hold solid core principles. I have led five medical organizations through a number of "crises", which has prepared me to take the next step and serve in public office.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Represent one's constituents and Missouri citizens at-large. Always consider how proposed legislation will affect your constituents. Always make sure to consider unintended consequences of well-meaning legislation.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want Missouri to be in a better place as a thriving state economically with a growing economy and well-paid productive workforce. The quality of our education and healthcare system should be second to none using free market principles and our citizens should feel save in their neighborhoods.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The 2nd Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia occurred in 1968. I was twelve years old. We escaped from Communist Czechoslovakia arriving in the U.S. with a suitcase and hope for a better life free of repression, terror, privation, censorship, and indoctrination. The U.S. delivered in spades, my parents had successful careers as physicians, my sister and myself became physicians as well. I ultimately rose to the Presidency of the American Academy of Dermatology, Missouri State Medical Association and St. Louis Metropolitan Medical Society.

Such success is only possible to achieve in one country in the world - the United States.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

We are the Champions!

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I have been blessed to have moved to the United States with the incredible opportunity it offered me and my family. We are living the American Dream. My main struggle has been to be able prioritize which opportunities to take on and which ones to pass by. There are only 24 hours in a day and I try to live them to the fullest.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Some tension between the governor and the legislature is inevitable and healthy. The legislators represent a small part of a state, while the governor represents the entire state. He can help the legislature to consider the good of the entire state and put some of the parochial issues of individual legislators in perspective.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Economic stagnation, low population growth. We need to reinvigorate our economy through lowering the tax and regulatory burden on our businesses and educating our workforce for the jobs of today and tomorrow. Elimination of the state income tax could lead to an economic boom with people moving to Missouri as has happened in Tennessee that eliminated their state income tax on Jan 1, 2021 and has seen an economic renaissance.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Prior experience can certainly be beneficial in terms of the relationships one has built and understanding the process of legislating. However, the way to move Missouri forward is best accomplished with new, fresh and innovative ideas that an outsider can bring to the table. Experience in the real world gives one an acute sense of the issues and impact legislation has on individual voters. Sometimes legislator can get caught up in groupthink "inside the beltway".

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Legislation is a team sport. The only way to get legislation through the legislature is to work closely with other legislators. The most important part of the process is to build trust and mutual respect with each other. We all have the same goal. Bettering the lives of Missourians and making sure that they have the opportunity to reach for and live their American Dream.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

In the political arena I am a fan for President Ronald Reagan and Speaker Newt Gingrich. They both had a huge impact on moving our country forward by being able to work across the aisle to get things done for the American people. President Reagan through major tax (reduced marginal rate from 70 to 28%) and social security reform (stabilized the program for our seniors for 50 years) that put our country on a growth trajectory and fiscal prudence. Speaker Gingrich was able to work with President Clinton across the aisle to reform welfare to make it a program for the truly needy while being fiscally responsible.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

I am running for the Missouri House to represent my district that includes Des Peres, Frontenac, Huntleigh, Town and Country, Eastern Chesterfield and unincorporated St. Louis County. I am committed representing them in Jefferson City. That is my sole focus.

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?

While doorknocking in Kirkwood, MO in 2022, I started telling my elevator campaign speech to an elderly gentleman that opened the door. As I started telling him that I am the son of a Holocaust survivor and that my mother was liberated form Gunskirchen concentration camp on May 4, 1945 by Patton's 71st infantry, the gentleman fell back against his house in astonishment. After a few moments, he regained his composure and asked me to wait a moment and went into his house. After a few minutes he came out holding a round patch with the number 71 on it. His father-in-law had served in Patton's 71st infantry and was there to liberate Gunskirchen concentration camp. My wife, Carrie and I went back to that house and had a wonderful conversation at his home. He brought out a black and white picture showing his father-in-law shaking hands with General Eisenhower as he was being deployed in early 1945. General Eisenhower was present as his son was also being deployed in the 71st infantry under an assumed name. Carrie and I both felt that this was a sign that we are on the right path to serve our Missouri constituents in Jefferson City.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

The legislature should grant emergency powers to the governor sparingly and only when there is no other alternative. Such authority should have strict limits in terms of scope and duration.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Definitely. Our current polarized political environment is a huge impediment for sensible change to improve the functioning of our society and individual opportunity. We need to come together and be willing to make reasonable compromises.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Floor Leader and Speaker-Elect Missouri House Dr. Jon Patterson

Missouri Treasurer Vivek Malek

Saint Louis County Council Member Dennis Hancock

Missouri State Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman

St. Louis County GOP Leader of 2023, Fromer St. Louis County Council Member and Police officer Tim Fitch

Missouri House Members:

Rep. David Casteel

Rep. Brad Christ

Rep. Wendy Hausman

Rep. Justin Hicks

Rep. Ben Keathley

Rep. Jim Murphy

Rep. Jeff Myers

Rep. Michael O'Donnell

Rep. Phil Oehlerking

Rep. Chad Perkins

Rep. Alex Riley

Rep. Chris Sander

Rep. Adam Schwadron

Rep. Justin Sparks

Rep. Lisa Thomas

Rep. Richard West

Rep. Travis Wilson

What committees interest you?

Budget, taxation and healthcare-related committees. Those committees all work toward my strengths as a small businessman and physician.

Note: Hruza submitted the above survey responses to [the profile publisher] on November 29, 2023.

Show past responsesHide past responses

November 25 submission

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

George Jiri Hruza, son of a holocaust survivor, arrived in New York at age 14 from socialist totalitarian Czechoslovakia with his family and a suitcase. Both his parents and sister have had successful careers as physicians. He is a physician specializing in dermatology and Mohs micrographic surgery in St. Louis, Missouri. He has taken care of tens of thousands of patients with difficult-to-treat skin cancers from the St. Louis region and as far away as Australia. He has taught dermatologic surgery to many residents, fellows and dermatologists on five continents. He has published five textbooks on dermatologic and laser surgery and more than 190 scientific articles and book chapters in medical literature. He has been on the "Best Doctors' list in St. Louis magazine for 25 years running. He has advocated for patients with regulators and legislators at the federal and Missouri state levels for more than two decades and during his presidencies of the American Academy of Dermatology/Association, Missouri State Medical Association and St. Louis Metropolitan Medical Society. Dr. Hruza and his family have taken full advantage of the opportunities only available in the United States and are truly living the American Dream. He is running for office to make sure that all Missouri residents continue to have unlimited opportunity to pursue their American Dream.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Crime is on the rise in our region. Defunding police will not create better policing any more than defunding teachers would improve education. We need to increase support for police training and recruiting. We must restore respect for our men and women in blue and insist that our prosecutors actually prosecute criminals. George will work to put those that prey on our children, elderly and community at large are put behind bars. He believes that in a rush to give criminals rights we have voided victims' rights and that balance must be restored.Driven by massive government spending, prices of groceries and other everyday essentials are at a historic high hurting our Missouri families. To attract new businesses and help those struggling he will work to improve the state's business climate by opposing higher job killing taxes, reduce government spending by targeting and eliminating special interest pork barrel spending and cut burdensome and unfair government red tape and regulations. By reducing the cost of services to Missourians and creating a strong business environment, we can better survive the current national economic challenges.George supports reforming our education system to better prepare students for the workplace rather than merely preparing them for the next test. He will expand workforce development to help train and retrain people for jobs in high-demand industries. He supports a Parent's Bill of Rights that will require schools to promote transparency and parental involvement in their children's education along with robust school choice so that parents can have their children educated in the setting that is most appropriate for them.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

-As a dermatologic surgeon at Washington University for a decade and subsequently in private practice in Town and Country and Chesterfield, I have been privileged to take care of tens of thousands of patients with difficult skin cancers, making a positive impact on their lives. Now is the time to expand my reach to help many more people by serving in the Missouri House of Representatives. I have seen firsthand the heavy-handed tactics insurers and our own government have exercised to interfere in the physician-patient relationship. Medical decisions belong between the patient and their physician. I am going to Jefferson City to fight for patient access to the physician of their choice, transparency in healthcare and high-quality care using free-market principles.

I grew up in a totalitarian state with an educational system permeated by government mandated orthodoxy, indoctrination, conformity, and constant fear of retribution. A huge strength of the U.S. is freedom of speech, freedom of expression, individual liberty, responsibility, meritocracy, diversity, and vigorous debate. I want to make sure that our educational system stays true to those ideals through transparency and robust school choice. Rev. Martin Luther King believed in a colorblind society where one is judged by the content of their character, not by the color of their skin. That is a principle that puts the U.S. head and shoulders above many other countries and makes me propud to be an American.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

George Jiri Hruza, son of a holocaust survivor, arrived to New York at age 14 from socialist totalitarian Czechoslovakia. He is a physician specializing in dermatology and Mohs micrographic surgery in St. Louis, Missouri. He has taken care of tens of thousands of patients with difficult-to-treat skin cancers from the St. Louis region and as far away as Australia. He has taught dermatologic surgery to many residents, fellows and dermatologists on five continents. He has advocated for patients with regulators and legislators at the federal and Missouri state levels for more than two decades and during his presidencies of the American Academy of Dermatology/Association and Missouri State Medical Association.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Driven by government spending, gas and groceries are at historic highs hurting our families. To attract new businesses and help those struggling he will work to improve the state’s business environment by opposing higher job killing taxes, reduce government spending by targeting and eliminating special interest pork barrel spending and cut burdensome and unfair government red tape and regulations. By reducing the cost of services to Missourians and creating a strong business environment, we can better survive the current national economic challenges.Crime is on the rise in our region. Defunding police won’t create better policing any more than defunding teachers would improve education. We need to increase funding for police training and recruiting. George will work to put those who prey on our children and the elderly behind bars. He believes that in a rush to give criminals rights we have voided victims’ rights and that balance must be restored.George supports reforming our education system to better prepare students for the workplace rather than only preparing them for the next test. He will expand workforce development to help train and retrain people in high-demand industries. He supports a Parents’ Bill of Rights that will require schools to promote transparency and parental involvement in their child’s education along with robust school choice so that parents can have their children educated in the setting that is most appropriate for them.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

As a dermatologic surgeon at Washington University for a decade and subsequently in private practice in Town and Country and Chesterfield, I have been privileged to take care of thousands of patients with difficult skin cancers, making a positive impact in their lives. Now is the time to expand my reach to help many more people by serving in the Missouri Senate. I have seen firsthand the heavy-handed tactics insurers and our own government have exercised to interfere in the physician-patient relationship. Medical decisions belong between the patient and their physician. I am going to Jefferson City to fight for patient access to the physician of their choice, for transparency in healthcare, and patient safety.

I grew up in a totalitarian state with an educational system permeated by government mandated orthodoxy, indoctrination, conformity, and constant fear of retribution. A huge strength of the U.S. is freedom of speech, freedom of expression, individual liberty, diversity, and vigorous debate. I want to make sure that our educational system stays true to those ideals through transparency and robust school choice.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Ronald Reagan, with his leadership he reduced government regulation and flattened the tax code, unleashing the entrepreneurial spirit resulting in a booming economy and unprecedented job creation. Personally, I look up to his fortitude dealing with the Soviet Union ("Evil Empire"), leading to its collapse and freeing my native Czechoslovakia from behind the Iron Curtain. His optimism and belief in the good of the individual is something I want to emulate and bring with me to the legislature to serve the residents of Missouri to improve their opportunity as they chase the American dream.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am a proven leader in organized medicine and at two universities able to work toward a productive consensus on many issues by fully engaging with the team, hearing out their concerns and working toward a win-win solution. Getting physicians on the same page is often like herding cats. I have found myslf up to the task and look forward toward applying my skills to the legislature.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The 2nd Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia occurred in 1968. I was twelve years old. We escaped from Communist Czechoslovakia arriving in the U.S. with a suitcase and hope for a better life free of repression, terror, privation, censorship, and indoctrination. The U.S. delivered in spades, my parents had successful careers as physicians, my sister and myself became physicians as well. I ultimately rose to the Presidency of the American Academ