In Missouri, a battle for the soul of the conservative movement is playing out between grassroots populists and the entrenched Republican establishment. While the GOP dominates state politics, not all Republicans represent the values of the people who elected them. Many in leadership have prioritized special interests, corporate donors, and the status quo over the needs of Missouri’s working families. Meanwhile, a new generation of conservative leaders is rising, rejecting the go-along-to-get-along approach and fighting for a government that serves the people, not the political class.
Legislation That Betrays Conservative Principles
Missouri’s Republican-controlled legislature often claims to stand for conservative values, but their actions tell a different story. A prime example is their attempt to shield pesticide manufacturers from liability. Instead of upholding personal responsibility and free-market principles, this legislation would give big corporations legal cover at the expense of Missouri farmers, landowners, and consumers. True conservatives believe in limited government, but they also believe in accountability. The establishment’s willingness to rig the system for corporate interests instead of standing up for the people exposes their disconnect from the grassroots.
Another troubling trend is the growing influence of out-of-state organizations on Missouri’s policymaking. Groups like the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) have been caught crafting legislation behind closed doors, pushing an agenda that often serves the interests of donors rather than Missouri citizens. Email leaks have revealed that Missouri officials, including Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, have coordinated directly with the FGA on legislative priorities. When politicians take their marching orders from outside lobbyists instead of their own constituents, it’s clear they no longer represent the people who elected them.
Even within Missouri’s Republican ranks, longtime party figures like former U.S. Senator John Danforth have warned that the state GOP is losing its way. Danforth has criticized the party’s leadership for becoming complacent and out of touch, prioritizing political games over meaningful reform. While his criticisms come from a more establishment viewpoint, they reinforce what populist conservatives have been saying for years: the current Republican leadership is more interested in maintaining power than advancing conservative policies that benefit everyday Missourians.
The Populist Conservatives Fighting Back
Against this backdrop, a new wave of populist conservative leaders is emerging, challenging the establishment and bringing the fight back to the grassroots.
Senator Bill Eigel has been one of the strongest voices for true conservatism in Missouri. A staunch advocate for tax cuts, Eigel has fought to shrink government, lower the tax burden on working Missourians, and rein in wasteful spending. Unlike many of his Republican colleagues, he has refused to play political games, instead focusing on policy solutions that put the power back in the hands of the people.
Mazzy Christensen represents a fresh face in the conservative movement, bringing a no-nonsense, grassroots approach to Missouri politics. She has been an outspoken advocate for educational reform, fighting for parental rights and school choice policies that empower families instead of bureaucrats. In an era when the establishment prefers to water down conservative principles, Christensen has shown a willingness to stand firm and push back.
Joe Nicola has been a leading voice for faith-based conservatism, emphasizing policies that protect religious freedoms, strengthen families, and preserve traditional values. While many Republican leaders shy away from these issues, Nicola has remained unwavering in his belief that Missouri’s future depends on upholding its moral and cultural foundations.
Representative Justin Sparks brings a law enforcement background to the populist movement, standing up for Missouri’s first responders and advocating for policies that protect communities from crime. As the establishment prioritizes soft-on-crime policies and political correctness, Sparks has been a relentless defender of law and order, reminding Missourians that safety and security are conservative values worth fighting for.
The Corporatist Republicans: Rusty Black and Tim Taylor
In stark contrast to these rising populist leaders, State Senator Rusty Black and State Representative Tim Taylor represent the entrenched corporatist wing of the Republican Party. Both have supported policies that prioritize corporate interests over the needs of the people who elected them. While they may still carry the conservative label, their actions often align with the status quo that populist conservatives are fighting against.
Rusty Black, for example, has repeatedly backed legislation that shields big corporations from accountability, such as bills that protect pesticide manufacturers from liability. His approach to governance tends to favor the well-connected and powerful entities at the top of the corporate ladder, instead of standing up for everyday Missourians. Black’s record reflects a willingness to compromise on conservative values in exchange for political deals and support from corporate donors, a stance that places him at odds with the grassroots conservatism that populist leaders like Bill Eigel champion.
Similarly, Tim Taylor has often favored policies that protect entrenched interests, even when they run counter to the values that many Missouri voters hold dear. Taylor’s support for corporate-backed initiatives, particularly those that undermine the interests of small business owners and working-class families, has raised questions about where his true loyalties lie. His record suggests a tendency to prioritize political gamesmanship and the influence of special interests over meaningful, people-centered reforms.
Both Black and Taylor are examples of how Missouri’s Republican leadership has become disconnected from the values of ordinary conservatives. While populist conservatives like Eigel, Christensen, Nicola, and Sparks are focused on solutions that empower people and protect their freedoms, Black and Taylor are more concerned with maintaining power and pleasing the corporate donors who fund their campaigns. This divergence between the two wings of the Republican Party in Missouri is a stark reminder that not all Republicans are working for the people—some are more interested in advancing the interests of the political and corporate elite.
A Call to Action: Reclaiming Missouri’s Conservative Movement
The fight between Missouri’s populist conservatives and the Republican establishment is about more than just policy—it’s about the future of the conservative movement itself. Will the GOP continue to be a party controlled by career politicians and corporate donors, or will it return to its roots, fighting for the working families, small business owners, and everyday citizens who make Missouri great?
The answer depends on the willingness of grassroots conservatives to take a stand. That means getting involved in local politics, supporting candidates who refuse to sell out to special interests, and holding Republican lawmakers accountable when they betray conservative principles.
Missouri deserves better than politicians who only wear the label of “conservative” when it’s convenient. It’s time to rally behind leaders who will fight for the people, not the political class. The future of Missouri’s conservative movement is at stake—will true conservatives rise to the occasion?
