Missouri Army National Guard vet prepares run for Jefferson City House seat

(Editor's note, 9/18: This story has been corrected to reflect Rep. David Griffith's status in the House.)

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) -

A National Guard veteran and former law enforcement officer announced his run Monday for a state House of Representatives district in Jefferson City.

Jamie Howard, 29, filed paperwork with the Missouri Ethics Commission for the House District 60 seat. Howard plans to run as a Democratic candidate for the seat representing most of the capital city.

Howard said he moved to Jefferson City in 2019 from his hometown of Moberly. Howard said he worked for the Moberly Police Department, Capitol Police and the Cole County Sheriff's Office until he left the profession in 2020 to go to college.

Howard said he hoped to push back on some of the measures supported by the Republican supermajority he's seen in Jefferson City. He specifically pointed out attempts to defund libraries and the personal effect the state's abortion laws have had on his family following the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision.

"Part of my degree program for medical coding was learning about obstetrics and gynecology and learning the importance of these lifesaving procedures," Howard said. "I believe in a woman's right to choose, and I will fight against efforts to restrict reproductive rights or to dictate the private decisions that should be left between a patient and their medical team."

Howard said he hoped to support bills that reduce the cost of childcare in the state.

Rep. David Griffith (R-Jefferson City) currently holds the seat. He was first elected in 2018. The primary election will take place on Aug. 6, 2024.