About Gabriel
I'm a husband, father, and life-long Missourian. I've lived all across this great state in both rural and urban areas.
I grew up in rural mid-Missouri and attended the local public high school in Fulton, the site of Sir Winston Churchill's historic "Iron Curtain" speech. Growing up with that sense of history, I've always felt a deep connection to the part our state has played in national and world affairs. For the first thirteen years of my life, my dad worked at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Being that closely connected to Missouri's flagship educational institution ingrained in me a tremendous sense of state pride.
I went to college at Rockhurst University in Kansas City where I was a member of the men's basketball team and Alpha Delta Gamma fraternity. There I met my wife, Sarah, a native of South County. When we bought a house in 2013, we decided to live in St. Louis, and specifically chose to live in the area around Affton & Lemay.
We aren't here by accident. We love this area of St. Louis and have made it our home. The community here reminds me of my small-town Missouri roots, and I can think of no better way to give back than to represent the people of the 93rd District in the Missouri General Assembly.
There is much to love about Missouri. We have gorgeous natural scenery, incredible history, and we sit at the crossroads of the nation. Missouri has always been a leader in innovation, progress, and development. But we've started to slip. In order to regain our edge, we need need honest, fair, prudent, and visionary elected officials who believe in promoting the common good more than themselves.
I believe I fit that mold.
I grew up in rural mid-Missouri and attended the local public high school in Fulton, the site of Sir Winston Churchill's historic "Iron Curtain" speech. Growing up with that sense of history, I've always felt a deep connection to the part our state has played in national and world affairs. For the first thirteen years of my life, my dad worked at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Being that closely connected to Missouri's flagship educational institution ingrained in me a tremendous sense of state pride.
I went to college at Rockhurst University in Kansas City where I was a member of the men's basketball team and Alpha Delta Gamma fraternity. There I met my wife, Sarah, a native of South County. When we bought a house in 2013, we decided to live in St. Louis, and specifically chose to live in the area around Affton & Lemay.
We aren't here by accident. We love this area of St. Louis and have made it our home. The community here reminds me of my small-town Missouri roots, and I can think of no better way to give back than to represent the people of the 93rd District in the Missouri General Assembly.
There is much to love about Missouri. We have gorgeous natural scenery, incredible history, and we sit at the crossroads of the nation. Missouri has always been a leader in innovation, progress, and development. But we've started to slip. In order to regain our edge, we need need honest, fair, prudent, and visionary elected officials who believe in promoting the common good more than themselves.
I believe I fit that mold.
Most of my professional career has been in the field of public relations and communications. My diverse background and education includes experience with corporations, non-profits, political campaigns, government agencies, and public & private schools. Below you'll find an overview of my education, professional experience, community involvement & other activities.
Professional ExperienceRoman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis
EducationRockhurst University (Kansas City, MO)
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Civic Affairs InvolvementMissouri Catholic Conference - Public Policy Committee (2016-2019)
FOCUS St. Louis Emerging Leaders (Fall 2019 cohort) Missouri GOP State Convention - Delegate from Callaway County (2008, 2012) Community InvolvementAffton Christian Food Pantry (Volunteer)
Angels' Arms (Junior Board Member, 2015-2018) Assumption Catholic Church (Youth ministry volunteer, 2013-2016) St. Mark Catholic Church (Religion teacher, 2014-2016) High School Basketball Officiating (Affton, Hancock, Bayless, other area schools) Memberships, Associations, and Other ActivitiesAffton Chamber of Commerce
Lemay Chamber of Commerce Bishop DuBourg High School - Basketball coach (2013-2014) Knights of Columbus |
KEY ISSUES
EDUCATION REFORM
We have students born in the 21st century being educated under an 18th-century model. With schools around the state facing funding questions, more than 60 school districts have adopted four-day weeks to gain a competitive edge. We need serious institutional reform.
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FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
Missourians should be confident that their government is fairly assessing, collecting, and spending their hard-earned dollars. Whether personal property, sales, or income taxes, state and local governments have a responsibility to be transparent in assessing and frugal in spending public money.
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SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT
The men and women who protect us every day must be supported. They do the tough work to catch bad guys, but too often the system works against them.
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LOCAL CONTROL
Missourians have a right to self-governance at a local level, free from undue influence or coercion of outside forces. St. Louisans should be able to decide on a $15/hour minimum wage without state government interference, or hold a local vote on a city-county merger.
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SUPPORT VETERANS
Our state and local elected officials must ensure the brave men and women who served our country in uniform get the support, recognition, and honor they deserve.
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SUPPORT WORKERS and ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Our country was built by hard work and dedication to a job well-done. Employees, craftspeople, and contractors deserve to be paid living wages for dignified work. As our economy changes, we need to ensure laborers across industries have access to resources and support so they can adapt to changing market conditions. Unions, career training and re-training, apprenticeships, and workforce development programs are all part of a healthy economy.
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