Thomas Ross

Thomas Ross was born in Joplin, Missouri.[1]

Thomas Ross did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Thomas Ross did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Thomas worked for the City of Joplin for nearly a decade following the 2011 tornado that greatly impacted the Joplin area. He admired the community that he had grown up with as it came together to help those in need following the disaster, and helped the area recover.

"It is that same community that I have been so proud to be a part of, that I wish to represent at the State level," Thomas says, "with hopes to help further revitalize the area, while also opening up opportunities to the citizens."

Mr. Ross spent his time while with the City of Joplin helping citizens with concerns and creating solutions that all parties can be happy with on several issue. Thomas is a local who believes that he has a greater grasp on the opinions and concerns of Joplin and believes that District 161 needs a voice that is willing to speak for those concerns.

He wishes for Joplin to be represented on all issues, since EVERY vote counts.

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?

If elected, I intend to not only vote to best represent District 161, but also provide a few workable solutions to key issues that plague us on a state and even national level. If not now, then when? Things are progressively getting worse across our nation and current politicians talk a lot but lack when it comes to action. While working for the City of Joplin, I was the “action guy” who took to the streets to find a solution. I didn't just sit inside an office with a phone, pen and computer and make decisions on things I didn't know first-hand. I have always been a problem solver, so let me solve some of these problems.I plan on voting on every issue that I am able to and represent the district to the best of my ability. Unlike my opponent, I plan to vote on all issues, such as to protect our constitutional rights, protect those in retirement communities from abuse, and just to do best by the citizens I am elected to represent. I will not turn a blind eye and let the job I am elected to do, left incomplete.Not all issues are black and white, or in this case, Red or Blue. There has to be some common ground of common sense that we can all meet on. I believe that is how to best describe my views and stance with how I perceive Joplin and its views. We, in district 161, are a melting-pot of society, as America was intended to be. I plan to "reach across the aisle" on topics to come to a resolution instead of an endless cycle of nothing being accomplished. I hope that everyone can agree that this move sounds like a good idea, instead of the political deadlock on issues we see daily.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education, Healthcare, Civil Liberties

When it comes to education, the children are our future. I am terrified by how little those words seem to mean at the end of a day to most politicians. Seeing understaffed schools, overcrowded classrooms, lack of proper education being provided all over the state, with no one moving to resolve it. Teachers, responsible with our children, and our future, are underpaid and overworked. It is far past time for something to be done about it. My daughter will be in school before you know it, and I will not stand for the public system to fail her as it is so many today.

As far healthcare is concerned, nursing is being cut due to "budget cuts." And those who remain are overworked, underpaid, and expected to run it as if they are properly (fully) staffed. When did our lives and health take a backseat to profit? I understand it is a business, but there needs to be a line drawn that doesn't compromise patient care.

Civil liberties should go without saying. Freedoms and rights granted by the Constitution and are not to be infringed upon. However, they are constantly under attack. Here lately the 1st and 2nd Amendments are under fire, no pun intended. I would say I am a constitutionalist. We cannot pick and choose when and what parts to support and which to try to erase. They are fundamental in the design of our nation. I am a strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment.

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

I believe that being elected to this office means that you should do all that the position entails. You are elected to represent the district, so vote how you believe the constituents would have on all issues. You are elected to speak on their behalf.

Too many times I see elected officials either abstain or absent from major votes. This is a paid position, so they should treat it like any other job. If you don't do your job, do you expect to keep it or be promoted? NO.

I just hope that everyone voting is aware of their current representatives voting history and takes that into consideration when electing their representative this year.

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

The economy appears to be one of the larger issues and challenges we will face as the state of Missouri over the next decade. Currently, we are and have been one of the most affordable and sensible places to live within the United States. However, due to the current federal plan impacting the economy, Missouri has a long way to go to be stable. Up until recently, issues had been dealt to the states which allowed each one to handle finances and economic structure differently.

There are many large issues, but this one is unavoidable, and is impacting us more and more daily.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

If elected, I would like to be considered to be a part of the Children and Families Committee, Elementary and Secondary Education Committee, Health and Mental Health Policy Committee, Local Government Committee, Utilities Committee, and Workforce Development Committee. I believe my experience and ideas for resolve could be greatly beneficial if I became a part of some or all of these committees.

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

I do believe that compromise can be a good thing. As I hinted at before, I believe that Joplin is a political melting-pot, that leans a bit more right. However, having those views that aren't conforming to the conservative origin of the area, actually sometimes help shed light on a better way. On many large issues that have been deadlocked for years, both sides are wrong by themselves and need to come back with open eyes and ears, hear each other out and take a look at the benefits of a middle-ground on paper.

Having a policy that benefits everyone is better than the lack of one that weighs down the whole. Last I checked, we are grown adults who need to discuss and resolve, not give issues the silent treatment and pout.