Full interview with House District 59 candidate Carrie Tergin

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Carrie Tergin, the mayor of Jefferson City for eight years, is hoping to keep District 59 red.

Tergin, the Republican nominee in the Nov. 3 general election, was the mayor of Jefferson City for eight years, leaving the office in 2023. She wants to take over for term-limited Rep. Rudi Viet (R-Wardsville) in representing District 59, which primarily covers Cole County outside of Jefferson City.

MELISSA HOUSTON: So, first, can you start by telling me about yourself and why you're running?

CARRIE TERGIN: Sure, yes. Carrie Tergin and I was the mayor of Jefferson City for eight years, so after serving as mayor, it gave me some really valuable experience and I want to take that experience to the Capitol and serve the people from that aspect. And really being able to serve the people in the 59th District would be a wonderful opportunity. And I want to be able to create some great jobs and make people want to stay there and live there and work there, and the next generation want to come back there.

So really focusing on having a good, safe community and jobs and economic growth and letting people keep more of their hard-earned money.

LINK: Interview with Democratic candidate Becky Kroll

HOUSTON: Great. And then can you tell me about how being the former Jefferson City mayor, how you think that's going to help you with running?

TERGIN: Yes. So I really enjoyed being mayor for eight years, a wonderful community. And I think people know how I operate under pressure.

We had the tornado during my term, and so they saw firsthand how we were able to really jump into action, come together, and be a strong community and have that confidence, and that we were going to rebuild stronger. And we absolutely did. So having those really tough times to lead through, I think, gives people a good perspective of what I will be like as a leader.

And also something that we did during my term was completing projects and economic growth and development. So, you know, right around the corner, we completed the Bicentennial Bridge to the riverfront, which was a project talked about for 50 years in our community. But actually being able to see those projects come to fruition by getting private partnerships on board to make it happen. So those are things that are really important that people see that we can take challenges and turn them into something good. And that was really a backbone of my term. It's something that I did a lot as mayor and want to continue to do that in the Capitol.

HOUSTON: What do you see as the most important issue facing District 59? How would you personally address it?

TERGIN: Well, affordability overall. And I think we all see that no matter what district we're in, but especially in 59 and, you know, we are a rural district, but we also have a lot of businesses, we have schools, we have, you know, the healthcare needs that follow with that. So agriculture, all of those needs, and getting them all together. So I think just affordability; people are looking at their prices, and we need to make sure that we're doing all we can so that people don't have the burdens so that they can find good-paying jobs and safe communities, so that they are able to keep their families strong and make them want to stay and live here.

So we want to do all that we can so the people keep the money in their pocket. I'm a business owner for three generations. I know what that's like to really work hard to make it and keep a business going and strong and creating jobs at that level. So I want to do that in the 59th.

Also, as the former mayor, I worked on city budgets for eight years. I know what it was like to veto a budget because it included a tax increase that I didn't think we needed. So there are times when we need to be able to make those tough decisions. And I've had the experience when it comes to city budgets and business budgets. So from all angles, I will be able to serve the 59th from that aspect as well.

HOUSTON: Do you think public education is properly funded in Missouri? If not, what would you do to address that?

TERGIN: Education is a big topic, and I think we're doing all that we can, but we want to make sure that we are being able to provide the best education. Each area is a little different with their needs, so we want to make sure families and parents are able to provide the best options for their students. We want to make sure that our teachers are also being able to have good careers and get the training and the jobs and retention that we need from our teachers so that they can be our educators and help the future generations.

So it's definitely a complex topic. We have a lot of people at stake from our students and the teachers and the parents and our school facilities and administrators are so much and and the different types of schools that we have. So we really want to work together to keep our education strong. And that's what attracts people to our areas. And we have strong schools in the district, but we want to make sure that we maintain that.

HOUSTON: And then what state rules, if any, would you add to data center construction or regulations?

TERGIN: You know, as a former mayor, I know the importance of having community support, and there are many communities that would support that kind of development with the right parameters and making sure that they are able to provide the growth and the jobs, but also looking at security and resources and the other things that go along with that. So definitely a complex topic, but one that, if done right, is going to take support from community local leaders and all of the entities involved.

So I don't believe that the same cookie-cutter approach is going to work for the entire state. I think that there are some areas that are going to be very receptive to it that would be a good fit, and as a local government leader, I know that each community has their own way to evaluate those and really bring all of the important partners to the table. And hearing the voice of the constituents and business leaders and everybody involved so people know exactly how it will affect them, and doing it so that it will have the most success if it is right for that area.

HOUSTON: And then what are your thoughts on redistricting with Proposition A? Which congressional map do you personally lean towards?

TERGIN: You know, that is definitely a complex topic, and it will be of interest to see what the voters decide, ultimately. As I've been knocking on doors, I've heard, honestly, concerns for both ways. I've heard people who truly believe in it. I've also heard people with concerns saying that the size of the district is it really, truly representing everyone's best interests.

So right now, I'm hearing really both at the doors. So I've enjoyed being out and talking to people and knocking on doors and going to events where I'm interacting with the public so that I can hear firsthand what their thoughts are. And I think that that will be very important, serving in the representative role. We are there to be the voice of the people. So I would encourage everyone to vote on Nov. 3, be educated on all the amendments. I think the worst thing I've heard at the doors is a few people who are concerned enough that they don't even want to go to the polls and are frustrated enough that they don't want to vote. And we should never hear that. So I've been encouraging people to do their research from reputable sources, make sure that they're getting all the facts and vote no matter what. We have to definitely make sure that each person realizes the value and importance of their vote.

HOUSTON: And then are there any other district issues that I did not mention that you believe need to be addressed?

TERGIN: You know, I think overall, just really working together. District 59 has such a large number of communities within it. We're all the way from, you know, Centertown, St. Martins, Lohman. We have Taos, Wardsville all the way to St. Thomas, we are a large district. We also include parts of Jefferson City. So we want to make sure that all of our communities have a voice in the Capitol, that we're working together and really highlighting our needs, whether it is healthcare, education, public safety, agriculture, all those things are very important, and I feel that I'm the best fit to represent the 59th District. I'm very much for the families and the farmers and businesses and every aspect of that. And I bring such a level of experience that I would like to be able to expand that beyond Jefferson City and taking that now into the district. So I think that the district will be well represented with someone that has the experience of already working with our Capitol leaders and now taking it into 59.

HOUSTON: And then final question, what is your final message for voters heading to the ballots?

TERGIN: Well, I would appreciate their vote on Nov. 3, so everybody get out and vote. They can start voting now. Early voting has begun, so they can go to their [polling place] in Jefferson City here. They can, of course, go right up the street to the courthouse and cast their vote. But regardless, I would encourage everybody to vote. I would like to have their vote and their confidence, after serving as mayor for eight years and working hard for the people, that I will continue that. And I will do everything I can, and I would appreciate their vote.

HOUSTON: Anything else to share?

TERGIN: I believe that you've covered everything, but thank you for taking the time, and people need to hear directly from the candidates. So I would encourage anyone to reach out to me if they would like to. And I would love to talk to anyone. I've been trying to hit as many doors as possible and reach out to everyone, but certainly I would welcome that conversation with everybody.

I love to hear what's on people's minds and what their concerns are and what we can do. I love finding problems and solutions to those. That was one of the things as mayor that I always thrived on was finding anything that we knew we needed for the community, but being able to find ways to make it work. And, you know, right now, whether it's child care type of solutions or jobs or, you know, there's so many aspects of what we can do better together and just kind of finding solutions to those together.

So I just welcome the voice of the voters and encourage people to reach out to me or their candidates and see where we stand on everything.