Incumbent Republican Bill Lucas will face challenger Democrat David George for House District 115 seat.
District 115 includes De Soto and Valles Mines.
House representatives are paid an annual salary of $41,770 and serve two-year terms.
Lucas, 68, of De Soto was elected in 2024 to represent District 115 in the Missouri House. He worked as a machinist for 40 years and is now retired. He holds an associate of applied science degree. Since 2008, Lucas has volunteered with the Amvets Post 48 in De Soto and the Camp Hope nonprofit. He served in the Marine Corps infantry from 1976-1980. He and his spouse, Donna, have three children and six grandchildren.
George, 57 of De Soto is retired. He earned an associate degree in electrical engineering from the ITT Technical Institute in 1988 and served in the Navy from 1988-1991. He studied EMT and fire science at Jefferson College in 1992 and worked as a paramedic from 1992-1994. He earned a bachelor’s degree in information security systems from the ITT Technical Institute in 2007, and his master’s degree in business administration in 2009. He earned a doctoral degree in business administration and information security systems from North Central University in Minneapolis, Minn., in 2015. He served as Ward 1 alderman in Olympian Village from 2002-2003.
Why should voters elect you, and what are your goals if elected?
Lucas: Because I am a Christian conservative who loves my country. I want to find other means of revenue so we can give property tax relief.
George: Experience and education that would allow me to do the job properly and guarantee that the people are being heard, not ignored. People matter more than corporate donors.
In light of recent elections, many voters contend Missouri’s state legislators are following their own political agendas, rather than listening to the will of the people, citing Amendments 4 and 5 as the most recent examples of a seeming disconnect between legislators and residents. Do you agree or disagree with that assessment?
Lucas: Disagree. Most legislators I have served with want to take out-of-state money and influence out of Missouri. That’s what Amendment 4 was about, along with making it a little harder to change our constitution.
George: I agree. The representation in Jefferson City seems to think that they are there to work for their corporate donors and not the people who elected them. It’s time for new leadership.
A common topic of legislative reform concerns tightening the requirements for citizen-led initiative petitions. Would you support reforming IP? What sort of reforms would you support?
Lucas: Initiative petitions to statutory issues are great. I.P. to amend our constitution is too easy. I would support a two-thirds vote requirement or five of eight congressional districts passing for constitutional changes.
George: I would oppose it. Citizen-led petitions are there to protect the people from the kind of power-grab that has taken hold in Jefferson City. Weakening it would only harm the people of this state.
