Mike Parson

Mike Parson
Born	Michael Lynn Parson 9/17/1955
Birthplace	Wheatland, Missouri, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, former law enforcement officer
Title	57th Governor of Missouri
Known for	57th Governor of Missouri
Education	University of Maryland, College Park (attended); University of Hawaii at Manoa (attended)
Children	2
Awards	Missouri Agriculture Hall of Fame (2025)

Michael Lynn Parson (born September 17, 1955) is an American politician and former law enforcement officer who served as the 57th governor of Missouri from June 1, 2018, to January 13, 2025. A member of the Republican Party, Parson rose to the governorship upon the resignation of Eric Greitens, under whom he had served as lieutenant governor since January 2017. He subsequently won election as governor in his own right in 2020. Born and raised in the rural Ozarks community of Wheatland, Missouri, Parson's political career was shaped by his background in agriculture, military service in the United States Army, and over a decade as sheriff of Polk County. He served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2005 to 2011 and the Missouri Senate from 2011 to 2017 before winning the lieutenant governorship in 2016. As governor, Parson signed legislation restricting abortion, opposed Medicaid expansion, oversaw Missouri's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and signed the Second Amendment Preservation Act. His tenure was also marked by controversial clemency decisions, including the pardon of a couple who pointed firearms at protesters during the 2020 George Floyd demonstrations. After leaving office in January 2025, Parson returned to private life in Polk County, where he has remained involved in agricultural and charitable endeavors.

Early Life

Michael Lynn Parson was born on September 17, 1955, in Wheatland, a small community in Hickory County in southwestern Missouri. He grew up on a small farm in the rural Ozarks region, an upbringing that would profoundly influence his political identity and policy priorities throughout his career. In his first in-depth post-office interview, Parson reflected on his formative years as a "farm kid" and the values instilled by growing up in an agricultural community.

After completing high school, Parson enlisted in the United States Army in 1975, where he served in the Military Police Corps. He held the rank of sergeant during his six years of military service, which lasted until 1981. His experience in the military police would set the stage for his subsequent career in law enforcement.

Following his military service, Parson returned to Missouri and entered the field of law enforcement. In 1993, he was elected sheriff of Polk County, Missouri, succeeding Charles Simmons in the position. Parson served as Polk County sheriff for over a decade, from 1993 to 2004, gaining extensive experience in rural law enforcement and community governance. His tenure as sheriff helped establish his name recognition and credibility in the region, forming the foundation for his later entry into state-level politics. He was succeeded as sheriff by Steven Bruce.

Education

Parson attended the University of Maryland, College Park, and the University of Hawaii at Manoa during his years of military service, though he did not complete a degree at either institution. His educational pursuits were conducted alongside his duties in the United States Army, a common arrangement for enlisted service members stationed at domestic and overseas installations during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Career

Missouri House of Representatives (2005–2011)

Parson entered state politics following the conclusion of his tenure as Polk County sheriff. In 2004, he was elected to represent Missouri's 133rd district in the Missouri House of Representatives, succeeding Ronnie Miller. He took office on January 5, 2005, and served three terms in the House. During his time in the lower chamber, Parson established himself as a conservative legislator, focusing on issues related to agriculture, law enforcement, and limited government. He signed the State Taxpayer Protection Pledge, committing to oppose increases in taxes.

Parson served in the Missouri House until January 5, 2011, when he transitioned to the state Senate. He was succeeded in the 133rd district by Sue Entlicher.

Missouri Senate (2011–2017)

In 2010, Parson won election to the Missouri Senate, representing the 28th district. He succeeded Delbert Scott and began his Senate term on January 5, 2011. In the Senate, Parson continued to pursue a conservative legislative agenda and built relationships across the Republican caucus. He served in the upper chamber for six years, departing on January 4, 2017, upon his election to the lieutenant governorship. His Senate seat was subsequently filled by Sandy Crawford.

During his time in the Missouri General Assembly, Parson endorsed Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign, joining a significant group of Missouri Republican officials who publicly backed the candidate.

Lieutenant Governor (2017–2018)

Parson was elected lieutenant governor of Missouri in November 2016, taking office on January 9, 2017, as the state's 47th lieutenant governor. He succeeded Peter Kinder in the role and served under Governor Eric Greitens.

As lieutenant governor, Parson presided over the Missouri Senate and undertook various initiatives. In November 2017, he announced an investigation into allegations of improper care at a St. Louis veterans' home, drawing attention to conditions at state-run facilities for military veterans.

Parson's tenure as lieutenant governor was cut short by the political crisis surrounding Governor Greitens. In February 2018, Greitens was indicted by a St. Louis grand jury on felony charges related to allegations of personal misconduct. The indictment prompted widespread speculation about the line of succession and what would happen if Greitens left office, with media reports examining Parson's potential ascension to the governorship. Members of the Missouri General Assembly also discussed the possibility of impeachment proceedings against Greitens.

During this period, Parson also faced scrutiny over a report that he had requested $50,000 for a chauffeur, which he publicly refuted.

Governor of Missouri (2018–2025)

Accession to the Governorship

On June 1, 2018, Parson assumed the office of governor of Missouri upon the resignation of Eric Greitens, who stepped down amid ongoing legal and political turmoil. Parson became the second person in Missouri history to assume the governorship from the lieutenant governor's office due to a resignation. Shortly after taking office, he appointed state Senator Mike Kehoe as the new lieutenant governor on June 18, 2018.

Parson's ability to make appointments to statewide elected offices became a notable aspect of his governorship. Over the course of his tenure, he made five appointments to statewide offices, a historically significant number for a Missouri governor. In a 2025 interview, Parson discussed these appointments and the unique constitutional authority that allowed him to shape Missouri's executive branch through the appointment process.

Abortion Legislation

One of the most significant legislative actions of Parson's governorship was his signing of a bill criminalizing abortion after eight weeks of pregnancy. In May 2019, Parson signed the legislation, which contained no exceptions for cases of rape or incest, making Missouri one of several states to enact restrictive abortion laws during that period. The legislation was part of a broader national movement among Republican-led state legislatures to challenge the legal framework established by the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade. The law was subsequently challenged and its enforcement was affected by later ballot measures in which Missouri voters weighed in on reproductive rights.

Medicaid Expansion

Parson opposed the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act during his tenure as governor. His administration resisted implementing an expansion of the program, which would have extended health coverage to additional low-income Missourians. However, in August 2020, Missouri voters approved a ballot measure amending the state constitution to require Medicaid expansion. Despite the voter-approved mandate, the Parson administration initially declined to implement the expansion, citing concerns about funding. The expansion was ultimately implemented after a Missouri court ordered the state to comply with the constitutional amendment.

COVID-19 Pandemic Response

Parson oversaw Missouri's response to the COVID-19 pandemic beginning in early 2020. He issued a temporary statewide stay-at-home order in April 2020, though the order was relatively brief compared to those imposed in many other states. Parson generally favored a decentralized approach to pandemic management, allowing local school districts and municipalities to make their own decisions regarding closures and restrictions. In July 2020, he stated his position that school districts should have the authority to decide whether to reopen for in-person instruction, rather than imposing a statewide mandate.

His approach to the pandemic drew both support from those who favored limited government intervention and criticism from public health advocates who argued that a more centralized response was necessary to contain the spread of the virus.

Second Amendment Preservation Act

In 2021, Parson signed the Second Amendment Preservation Act (SAPA) into law at a Kansas City gun shop. The legislation declared that certain federal gun regulations were invalid within Missouri and prohibited state and local law enforcement from enforcing those federal rules. The law was widely criticized by federal officials and some law enforcement agencies, who argued that it hampered cooperation between state and federal authorities on gun-related crimes. The law faced legal challenges, and in October 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to revive the statute after lower courts had found it unconstitutional.

2020 Election and Voting Policies

Parson was elected governor in his own right in the November 2020 general election, winning a full four-year term. During the 2020 election cycle, he placed restrictions on mail-in voting, limiting the circumstances under which Missouri residents could vote by mail amid the COVID-19 pandemic. These restrictions were consistent with his general approach of maintaining traditional voting procedures, though they drew criticism from voting rights advocates who argued that expanded mail-in voting was necessary for public health reasons during the pandemic.

George Floyd Protests and Clemency Decisions

During the nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd in May 2020, Parson oversaw Missouri's response to demonstrations that occurred in St. Louis, Kansas City, and other communities across the state. One of the most nationally publicized incidents involved Mark McCloskey and Patricia McCloskey, a St. Louis couple who pointed firearms at unarmed protesters marching past their home in a private neighborhood. The McCloskeys were subsequently charged with felony unlawful use of a weapon. Parson pardoned the couple, a decision that attracted significant national media attention and criticism from gun control advocates and civil rights organizations, while being praised by gun rights supporters.

Parson also drew controversy for his decision to commute the sentence of Britt Reid, son of Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, who had seriously injured a child while driving under the influence of alcohol. The clemency decision prompted criticism from the victim's family and some members of the public.

Another high-profile case during and after Parson's tenure involved Marcellus Williams, a man who faced execution despite what the Innocence Project described as evidence supporting his innocence, including DNA evidence. The Innocence Project called on Parson to use his power to stop the execution.

End of Term

Parson served as governor until January 13, 2025, when he was succeeded by Mike Kehoe, the lieutenant governor whom Parson himself had appointed in 2018. Parson was term-limited and could not seek re-election. He returned to his home in Polk County following his departure from office.

Personal Life

Mike Parson has two children. He resides in Polk County, Missouri, where he has maintained agricultural operations. His identity as a farmer and rural Missourian has been a consistent element of his public persona throughout his political career, and he has frequently referenced his farming background in discussing his approach to governance and policy.

After leaving office, Parson established a nonprofit foundation. The organization's tax filings describe its mission as "straightforward charitable giving" and education about the former governor's tenure. In 2026, the foundation drew scrutiny when Democrats in the Missouri legislature questioned a $250,000 budget earmark directed to the organization, which had been included in the state budget under Governor Mike Kehoe's administration.

In April 2025, the University of Missouri broke ground on The Michael L. Parson Meat Science Education and Training Laboratory, a facility named in his honor. Parson and his family attended the groundbreaking ceremony, and additional gifts were announced for the project.

Recognition

In August 2025, it was announced that Parson would be inducted into Missouri's Agriculture Hall of Fame, alongside Dave Kampeter and Tom Schell. The selection recognized his lifelong connection to Missouri's agricultural community and his advocacy for farming interests throughout his political career.

The naming of the Michael L. Parson Meat Science Education and Training Laboratory at the University of Missouri in 2025 represented another form of institutional recognition for his contributions to agricultural policy and education in the state.

During his time in office, Parson made five appointments to statewide elected offices, a record number for a Missouri governor, which was discussed as a significant aspect of his gubernatorial legacy in post-office analyses.

Legacy

Mike Parson's governorship was defined by a conservative governing philosophy that emphasized limited government, individual liberty, and deference to local decision-making. His approach to the COVID-19 pandemic, which favored local control over statewide mandates, reflected this philosophy but also generated debate about the role of state government during public health emergencies.

His signing of restrictive abortion legislation and opposition to Medicaid expansion placed him firmly within the national conservative movement on health and social policy, though Missouri voters subsequently overrode both positions through ballot measures — approving Medicaid expansion in 2020 and later addressing reproductive rights at the ballot box. These outcomes underscored the tension between the governor's policy preferences and the expressed will of Missouri's electorate on certain issues.

The Second Amendment Preservation Act, one of Parson's signature legislative achievements, represented an assertion of state sovereignty over federal gun regulations. However, the law's ultimate invalidation by federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court's refusal to revive it in 2025, limited its practical impact.

Parson's record of five statewide appointments, including the appointment of his eventual successor Mike Kehoe as lieutenant governor, gave him an outsized role in shaping Missouri's executive branch for years beyond his own tenure. His clemency decisions, particularly the pardon of the McCloskeys and the commutation of Britt Reid's sentence, remained among the most debated aspects of his time in office.

His induction into Missouri's Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2025 reflected the centrality of his agricultural identity to his public career, from his childhood on a small farm in Wheatland to his post-gubernatorial life in Polk County.