State Representative- 8th District 

For his whole life, Tom Shively has worked to help the people of rural Missouri.  During his 30 years as a  vocational agriculture teacher, Tom helped prepare thousands of students to handle the modern challenges of farming.  For Tom, that comes naturally.  Born in rural Missouri, Tom grew up on a farm.  He learned the principles of 4-H and FFA.  Those are values he still practices today.  He understands the importance of education.  "A solid educational system not only prepares young minds, it equips our next generation to compete in a complex agribusiness environment.  "That will help more of your children and grandchildren to stay here in rural Missouri, find quality jobs here, and sustain our rural quality of life."

Tom doesn't just pay lip service to rural values.  He walks the walk.  That's why former Governor Roger Wilson said, "Tom possesses the values that make Missouri great. I look forward to working with him to protect those values and to ensure the people of the 8th get strong, dynamic representation in the Missouri House."

His colleagues agree.  It didn't take long for the Missouri General Assembly to recognize Tom's knowledge and trustworthiness.  They named him the House Democratic Assistant Whip, in his first year.  And last year, Tom  was elected chairman of the Rural Caucus.  As such, he leads Missouri's rural House members formulating policy, developing strategy and generating support for rural legislative priorities.  He even reached across party lines to invite opposition rural house members to participate in the rural caucus.  That kind of bipartisanship is rare these days.  But it's central to Tom's solid values.  "It's important that we all work together," Tom says.

Tom Shively walks the walk.  He voted to cut property taxes for senior citizens.  He voted to create jobs by protecting small businesses from additional government red tape.   And he's joined the call for a state budget accountability report card, so you can see how your tax dollars are spent.

That same dedication to rural values is the reason Tom cosponsored the successful repeal of the so-called Village Law, which was a sneak attack on your ability to make local decisions.

Tom is a veteran, serving in the United States Air force, and attaining the rank of Technical Sergeant.  A graduate of the University of Missouri, Shively has served as past Vice-President of the Missouri Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association, and has served on several community boards. He's a hunter, gun owner, and strong advocate for protecting gun owners' rights.  That's why he's received the endorsement of the NRA.  Tom and his wife, Rose, are the parents of three children -- Scot, Jeff and Melissa -- and 10 grandchildren.  He presently farms with his son in a row crop and cow calf operation. 

"I'll continue to work to build our rural economy, to bring better jobs to this area.  As a lifelong teacher, I'll continue to fight to improve our children's education in rural Missouri.  I'll work to ensure that all of our neighbors have access to affordable health care. And it is most important to have faith in a candidate who will represent the interest of every person in the 8th district."