FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 23, 2020
For questions or comments, contact:
leightonformo@gmail.com
Leighton for MO
PO Box 763
Cape Girardeau, MO 63702
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ANDY LEIGHTON FILES FOR CANDIDACY IN MO HD 147
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – On Monday, March 23, city resident Andy Leighton filed as a Democratic candidate to run for the Missouri General Assembly House District 147, an area which generally encompasses the city’s borders.
Family and friends encouraged me to run for office to represent the 147th district, because we need new leaders in our state government to provide direction, coordination, and above all, clear communication. The main theme of my campaign is healthcare, healthcare, healthcare.
To me there are two basic ways citizens view government: some see it as an impediment to progress while others see it as a public policy management tool for improving our lives. I am a proponent of government ‘of the people, by the people, for the people.’
Presently, I find that the do nothings are in charge. The need to take action became abundantly clear when Governor Mike Parson, in referring to criticism of the State’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, stated that “he doesn’t see a role for government” in solving it. I believe we all need to work together including government, business, and the general public.
In the case of a pandemic, I am certain most of us are looking to our government for answers and action to prevent the spread of a deadly disease. As of Saturday, Missouri was listed as one of only four states that are doing surprisingly little to stop the spread of COVID-19. While it is true that individuals must have a primary role in caring for themselves and taking precautions, it is fair to say that the Governor’s unnecessary delay has caused confusion and put lives at risk! There are tens of thousands of families across the U.S. being directly affected by this crisis including my own.
As for my likely opponent, as well as our sitting representative, let’s not forget the Republicans have held majorities in the General Assembly since 2005 and presently have super-majorities in both houses. Their answer to the danger facing Missourians was to decline acting on a supplemental spending bill to support the State’s COVID-19 response. They took a recess instead. It appears that the House and Senate majorities are trying to protect themselves as they fail to provide the smart, bold leadership needed to protect us in this crisis. We can and must do better.
The people of the 147th House District here in Cape Girardeau have grown weary of the lack of action by our elected leaders. We need bold leadership that delivers on the promise of affordable healthcare for all beginning with Medicaid expansion to protect all our citizens from this virus. The failure by Republicans to expand Medicaid in our state has cost us $5 billion--that's FIVE BILLION DOLLARS in squandered matching federal healthcare dollars over the last 10 years not to mention the tremendous toll on the health of our citizens. In addition, their failure to support education since 2005 has put Missouri near the bottom of all states in such funding. There is little doubt that their failure to curb the influence of dark money in our state’s politics has resulted in corruption run amok in Jefferson City likely contributing to these pervasive problems.
The people of the 147th House District want change as proven by their overwhelming support of Amendment 1 Clean Missouri in 2018.
We can do better. We say Let’s See Action!
It’s time to vote for intelligent, dedicated leaders who want the government to work with the people, for the people and provide better healthcare options for all.
Biography:
Andy Leighton and his wife of 32 years, Pamela, reside in Cape Girardeau. Their two sons attended Cape Girardeau Public Schools. Their eldest son Roy graduated from Southeast Missouri State and has recently begun his professional career here. Billy is married to Kelsey (Thompson) of Scott City, and they were recently blessed with twins - the family’s first grandchildren.
While their children proceeded through Cape Girardeau Public Schools, the Leightons have been active in the community. Andy served as Cub Scout Pack 21 Cubmaster at Clippard Elementary, an Assistant Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 2 at Grace United Methodist Church, and was an assistant coach for little league baseball and recreational soccer. The Leightons also volunteered with Cape Road Runners, as well as with the Central Middle School, Jr. High & High School track and cross-country teams where their sons excelled.
Leighton earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 1986. For the last five years he has been employed with a local healthcare provider as a medical biller specializing in Medicaid insurance claims. Leighton spent most of his career in the private sector performing work in governmental relations, sales and customer service or revenue cycle management (billing). He is a former member of the Communications Workers of America, local 6316, here in Cape Girardeau. He has served as vice chair for public relations for the Cape Girardeau County Democratic Committee since 2018.