Interview with Sam Turner, candidate for Boone County Southern District commissioner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Sam Turner is a Republican seeking to be Boone County's Southern District commissioner, a seat currently held by Democrat Justin Aldred.

The Southern District, also known as District I, represents the southern and a portion of the western part of Boone County.

Meghan Drakas: Of course. So to start off, who is Sam Turner?

Sam Turner: That's a great question. I think when I answer that question, it comes down to two things: a husband and a father. I've been married to my wife now for almost eight years. I have three kids. I've got a 5-year-old, a 3-year-old and a 5-week-old. So not a whole lot of sleep getting done in my house right now. But I'm also a small business owner. I own Turner Ag Solutions, which is a commodity input retailer for farmers. We sell corn and soybeans to growers in this area. And as well as we provide crop protection for farmers in about five counties.

Drakas: And since you are owner of an agricultural business, how do you think that experience would help you if elected?

Turner: You know, so it doesn't have to be with ag business, just small businesses in general. We look at a PnL [profit and loss] on a daily basis, you know, county commissioners, they work with the county budget. That's their main role. So being able to make tough budget decisions, understand what's important, and prioritizing not only from a business standpoint, but also county tax dollars. You know, that's something that I have experience in. When I think about Boone County and, you know, gravel roads and potholes, for example. Well, we're traveling those roads every day with our equipment. I tell people all the time our sprayers, they weigh 30,000 pounds empty. So every every pothole we hit, we know all about it because, you know, those little sprayers cost as much as a house. So we're trying to protect them.

So, being a county commissioner is near and dear to me because I want to, you know, improve our local infrastructure, to increase our economy and make it to where Boone County is a place where businesses can grow and thrive in.

Drakas: And you touched on it a little in that response to that question, but why else is it so important to have a county commission?

Tuner: Well, it's important to for a number of reasons. But the No. 1 thing is, you know, for county commissioners, we determine where your tax dollars are being spent, whether that's the sheriff's department, whether that's roads and bridges. There's a million different things that county money goes to. And at the end of day, you know, from the folks that we've talked to, they really are paying attention to what county commissioners are doing. They know the crime and different things in Columbia. They want to know how county commissioners can help out. And I think it's really important that we elect commissioners that understand what's going on in the county from numerous standpoints. And I hope that my candidacy shows that, you know, I'm invested in this county. My kids go to school here. My business is here, and this is where I want to be at.

Drakas: And speaking to voters, what do you feel are the top priorities for them right now?

Tuner: So, you know, we're knocking almost 1,000 doors a week right now. So I make the joke all the time that the grandmas that walk in the mall are going to have a hard time keeping up with me by the time we get done this campaign, because we're walking, it seems like every day, like eight, nine miles. But for voters, the No. 1 thing is public safety. You know, we're asking questions. What's important to them.

You know, we were at a forum just a couple of weeks ago, and I asked the crowd, who in this room feel safer in Columbia now than they did 10 years ago? And not a single hand went up. And that's something that's a grave concern. As someone that's got three young kids that's raising their kids in the school systems here. You know, we we want safe communities. We want to be able to attract the largest employer in this county is the University of Missouri. We want to be able to attract students here. And to do that, you've got to make the streets safe. You also got to invest in infrastructure. Folks, we talk about county roads all the time. We talk about roads and bridges and how we can, you know, continue to increase. You know, I got an email today about a gravel road being dangerous and it's just like, well, I've met with the road and bridge crew. I know they're capable of doing their jobs. We just got to give them the funding they need to do it.

Drakas: And you touched on crime and safety. One of your focuses has been on law enforcement. What specific changes would you like to see if elected?

Turner: So in just four years, the county's budget has gone up $44 million. Now, that's an increase from whether that's the Wayfair tax, the marijuana tax. You know, we're having an influx of cash to the county. What I'd like to be able to do is put some of that money towards the sheriff's department. You know, Sheriff Carey and I have a great relationship. We know that we need more sheriff deputies on the road. Thanks to Caleb Rowden in the Missouri Senate, we're getting the regional training center for the sheriff's department. You know, everything that we're doing is trying to get more sheriff deputies on the road so that we can help out with the Columbia Police Department because we know their shortage of police officers right now. You know, fortunately, I was endorsed by the Columbia Police Officers Association. I think that means that they trust me as an individual that's going to stay true to its word and try to get more funding to the sheriff's department. So that's that's the No. 1 goal right now."

Drakas: And why do you think you're a better choice for Boone County voters compared to your opponent who has held the position since 2020?

Turner: "Well, I think I just bring a lot of experience to the position. As a business owner, I understand a PnL, you know, as a father of three, I understand what local families are going through and as somebody that just has met with thousands of people throughout this campaign, I'm starting to understand more and more what people are going through in the county. You know, as county commissioners, we can't control inflation. We can't control interest rates. But what we can do is work with realtors, developers, things like that, to make sure that we're cutting red tape in our county codes to try to make it more affordable to live here in Boone County. So I tell people all the time, I don't have anything against my opponent, but I do think what we need in this county is somebody that can understand what everyday families are going through. And that's something that I can bring to the table.

Drakas: And Sam, is there anything else that you would like to share with the voters before Election Day?

Turner: Well, I think the No. 1 thing is just please get out and vote. This election is going to be really important. And I think everyone that's helped me in this campaign, I thank you guys for having me today. But the No. 1 thing is just get out and vote and and give us a chance to earn your support."