Willard Haley

Willard Haley was born in Boonville, Missouri. Haley graduated from Pilot Grove High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in agriculture from the University of Missouri in 1983 and a master's degree in practical arts and vocational and technical education from the University of Missouri in 1985. Willard's career experience includes working as an administrator for the Eldon Career Center and as a farmer. Haley oversaw the Eldon Chamber of Commerce and has been a member of the Missouri Farm Bureau, the Eldon Area Farmers, the Eldon Area FFA, 4-H, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Miller County Fair board.[1][2]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Willard Haley filed for re-election as the State Representative for the 58th District in the Missouri House. Haley, a republican, has served in the House for the past two years. He is a member of the Agriculture Policy, Conservation & Natural Resources, and Workforce Development Committees.

Haley was born in Cooper County, Missouri and was raised on the family’s dairy farm at Pilot Grove. He graduated from Pilot Grove High School as the Valedictorian in 1979 and attended the University of Missouri – Columbia. He obtained a BS in Agriculture Education, a BS in Agriculture Mechanization, and a MS in Practical Arts and Vocational /Technical Education.

Haley was employed by the Eldon R-1 School District as a teacher and administrator for 32 years, serving as an Agriculture Education Instructor & FFA Advisor for 25 years and as the Director of the Eldon Career Center for 7 years. In addition, he was an adjunct Agriculture Instructor for State Fair Community College for two years.

Willard has been married to his wife Jerri (Klein) for 38 years and live on a small farm in Eastern Morgan County

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?

Haley states his commitments are: Pro-Life, Pro-2nd Amendment, Education, Work-Force Development, Law Enforcement, Military, Small Business, and Agriculture. He is a strong supporter of the Military as several family members are currently serving our country. He has previously been endorsed by the Missouri State Teacher’s Association, the Better Schools for Missouri Committee, and many Agriculture organizations.Having lived in the area included in the 58th District for nearly 40 years, Haley knows the concerns of its constituents. His diverse background has provided experience in the areas of interest to the voters, including workforce development, career training, agriculture, education, business development, and infrastructure needs. He states he has really enjoyed getting to know more of the constituents of the 58th District. Haley said he takes pride in his record of constituent services as he has assisted area residents with numerous concerns they have expressed to him.My priorities include looking out for the 58th District’s economy and infrastructure. While working to improve Missouri’s economy and infrastructure, I will also be doing all I can to improve those items locally. I will work to bring in enough good paying jobs so that when our children graduate from area high schools and advance their learning through career and technical or college education, they could return here to live, work, and raise their families if they would like to. I would like to see our district offer employment opportunities to a wider range of workers. I dislike seeing talented adults and young people move away to find employment. I will encourage the support of small businesses and buying local. Increasing our local moneys

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am running for State Representative to make a difference. I have been involved in many things through my 32-year career in the Eldon R-1 School District, through farming, and through my church & community involvement that have prepared me for this endeavor. I love being retired but I feel like God has been preparing me for this my whole life. I still have something to give and I do not want all of my experiences and accumulated knowledge to go unused. I want to be the voice of the constituents in the 58th District and represent them the best way possible. I promise to be available and to listen to their concerns and needs. It will not be what can they do for me, but rather, what can I do for them.

I have an advantage in being in tune with the concerns of our district as I have lived in the area included in the 58th District for over 39 years. I have a more diverse background in the areas that are of concern to our voters including workforce development, career training, agriculture, education, and business development & support.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Haley was born in Cooper County, Missouri and was raised on the family's dairy farm at Pilot Grove. He graduated from Pilot Grove High School as the Valedictorian in 1979 and attended the University of Missouri - Columbia. He obtained a BS in Agriculture Education, a BS in Agriculture Mechanization, and a MS in Practical Arts and Vocational /Technical Education.

Haley was employed by the Eldon R-1 School District as a teacher and administrator for 32 years, serving as an Agriculture Education Instructor and FFA Advisor for 25 years and as the Director of the Eldon Career Center for 7 years. In addition, he was an adjunct Agriculture Instructor for State Fair Community College for two years.

Willard has been married to his wife Jerri (Klein) for 36 years and live on a small farm in Eastern Morgan County. Jerri is a life-long resident of the 58th District as she was raised on a farm at Syracuse, MO. She is a retired Business Education Instructor for the Eldon School District. The couple have two children. Their son Jeremy, his wife Meridith, and their two-year old son Kaiden, live in Columbia. Their daughter Jana, her husband Kelsey Flynn, and their one-year old daughter Farrah, live in Troy.

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?

Haley states his commitments are: Pro-Life, Pro-2nd Amendment, Education, Work-Force Development, Small Business, and Agriculture. He is also a strong supporter of the Military as several family members are currently serving our country. Having lived in the area included in the 58th District for over 37 years, Haley knows the concerns of its constituents. His diverse background has provided experience in the areas of interest to the voters, including workforce development, career training, agriculture, education, business development, and infrastructure needsHaley expresses his interest to be a voice for all constituents if elected and says he will represent all citizens to the best of his ability.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am very interested in policies affecting Agriculture, Education, 2nd Amendment Rights, Pro-Live, and others restricting our American Freedoms.

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

I look up to Christian leaders who are not afraid to speak up and express their relationship with God.

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

Tough question. Not as of now.

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

Be listen to their constituents and truly represent the people from their district. I will put my own opinions aside if I am not in agreement with the majority of my district.

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

I am passionate and give 110% to everything I do.

I work hard.

I am a team player and get along well with others.

I care.

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

To be available to the people.

To provide services to who you represent.

To defend our rights.

To defend the Constitution.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like for people to say I made a difference and that it wasn't about me but rather, how I could help others.

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

I remember Man Walking on the Moon. That was a major historical event that began rapid advancements in technology. I was 8 years old at the time.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Being raised on a dairy farm, I worked on the farm at a young age.

Upon graduation from college, my first actual job was with the Eldon R-1 Schools. They were my only employer until retirement, a total of 32 years.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Bible.

It guides my life.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Superman

I could help many people.

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

"I Won't Give Up" by Jason Mraz

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

Balancing work and personal time. I have very little personal time.

Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?

The first difference is the number of constituents represented. The House members are more in touch with the people they represent.

I believe the House can actually explore more proposed bills that are presented to it's committees.

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

No. I think fresh, outside ideas are a positive. I also believe they may be more open-minded.

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

Finances. Our budget is going to be under great stress.

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

I like a Governor who is available and in-touch with the state legislature.

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

Absolutely. More can be accomplished by having good working relationships.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

I would prefer the redistricting procedures used in the past continue.

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

I haven't completely decided yet but am certainly interested in Agriculture and Education committees.

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

David Wood is the outgoing (term-limited) 58th District Representative. He is someone I admire and respect greatly. I am blessed to have his support and endorsement. I hope to model myself after him by attending many events in our District and being readily available to our constituents

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

No.

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?

I have heard many stories how outgoing Representative David Wood has assisted constituents with problems they faced and had positive results.