Tristan believes that focusing on the problems that affect our day-to-day lives is key to creating a stable economy, better education, and peace of mind for District 4. Too often, the focus shifts to high-profile social issues that can dominate headlines. These issues are important, but they can sometimes overshadow the need to strengthen roadways, fund education, or bring healthcare to rural communities. Tristan respects the office he is seeking and understands his role is to create practical solutions for the everyday Missourian in District 4.
Infrastructure is the backbone of strong rural communities. Reliable roads, bridges, culverts, and drainage systems help emergency services reach people, keep school buses moving, and allow farmers to move equipment and products. Too many of us have seen farmland underwater, country roads running like rivers, and town streets made impassable after heavy rain.
Tristan supports prioritizing repairs in the places communities rely on most, including routes used by school buses, farm traffic, and emergency services. Targeted repairs and drainage improvements can reduce storm damage, as well as the time and public resources communities spend on recovery.
Whether it is an emergency or a scheduled appointment, access to physical and mental healthcare remains a top priority for rural communities. Many residents have had to cancel appointments because of inclement weather or wait too long for emergency services. When the nearest hospital or clinic is 20 to 60 miles away, and in some cases even further, the cost of gas can become part of the decision about whether to seek care.
Tristan believes incentives, grants, and local medical residency programs can help bring healthcare providers and services to the district. He also supports improving roads used by ambulances and other emergency responders, and expanding broadband so residents can access tele-health and other remote medical services.
A quality education matters to every parent. Underfunding and consolidation pressures are hitting rural Missouri’s public schools hard. Tristan supports helping local districts access available state programs, including the Small Schools Grant and DESE’s State Transportation Aid program. He also supports updating Missouri’s Foundation Formula to better reflect rural realities such as small enrollment, long distances, and limited local tax capacity. These steps can help schools hire and retain qualified teachers and staff while giving students the resources they need for a meaningful education.
Strong rural economies depend on more than one issue area. Tristan supports technical and agricultural career programs that prepare the next generation for local jobs. Access to healthcare closer to home can help residents avoid losing a full day’s pay or spending heavily on gas to get care. Better roads and drainage can reduce flooding and protect farm routes, while reliable broadband connects farmers, businesses, schools, and healthcare providers.
Tristan plans to advocate for farmers by strengthening farmer cooperatives and pushing back against consolidation that weakens their bargaining power. He believes targeted tax credits, loan-forgiveness programs, grants, and equipment-rental assistance can help lower the startup costs that put farming out of reach for some new farmers.
Local businesses also keep rural communities running. Tristan supports practical help for businesses looking to start, grow, and hire, including better access to financing, workforce training, and state grant programs.
