43rd House District: Kent Haden
Party: Republican
Age: 67
Place of residence: Mexico, Missouri
Occupation: Veterinarian retired
Political experience: None
Education: Bachelor of science in agriculture, University of Missouri; doctor of veterinary medicine, University of Missouri
Opponent: Jamie Blair
Recent state income tax cuts have been hailed by some as an economic jumpstart and derided by others as taking money that’s needed for social services and education. What is your opinion?
I am in favor of the tax cuts and believe they stimulate the economy.
Voters will decide Nov. 6 whether to raise Missouri’s gas tax. Do you support raising the tax?
I do favor the gas tax increase .The highway infrastructure has to be addressed for safe travel and transportation of products. We have kicked the can down the road for too long.
Voters will also decide on whether to approve any of three medical marijuana proposals. What are your thoughts on the issue?
I have studied all three proposals. I would be opposed to all three as written. I don’t think any of the three address the needs of the state of Missouri. I think these could better be addressed in the legislature and the use of a constitutional amendment or a proposition is not the correct avenue.
What other key issues do you see facing the state?
Regulatory overreach. I have been a bureaucrat and witnessed regulatory overreach and observed how it decreased innovation, and almost always gives the larger players the advantage, as they can spread the cost of regulation over more units. Amendment 1 (Clean Mo) is also a way to gerrymander and decrease rural representation. The District that would be created would make it virtually impossible to represent your district. The sense of community and area would be lost.
