Insider seeks lawmaker’s role
Lawson cites rural upbringing in Monroe County.

Ewell Lawson is tired of waiting on the sidelines.

Lawson watched over swimming pools when he was a teenager and during his professional career has assisted public figures such as former Gov. Mel Carnahan and state Auditor Claire McCaskill.

Now, Lawson is trying to the take a giant leap into the often-choppy waters of legislative state politics by running for the Democratic nomination for the Ninth District, which includes Centralia, Sturgeon and northwest Boone County. He’s banking on his long-time service in government to put him on the November ballot.

"If you have someone who can connect your fellow citizens with the state government right out of the gate and also understands the legislative process to further the ideas that are coming out of your district and what’s important to your district, then that gives your district a leg up," Lawson said.

Lawson, 36, is motivated to seek the post being vacated by Rep. Wes Shoemyer, D-Clarence, in part, by the prospect of legislating. He also hopes to serve the district that includes his childhood hometown of Paris, Mo.

The seventh generation to live in Monroe County, he credits Paris and the county with shaping his values: "The district has a good sense of community and good understanding on taking care of your neighbor."

Winning over voters of the largely rural district is the latest stop on Lawson’s journey through Missouri politics.

Formerly an office manager for U.S. Rep. Harold Volkmer, he’s also served as an adviser to Carnahan and former Gov. Roger Wilson and was a local government liaison for four years. Lawson also served as director of governmental affairs for McCaskill.

The cumulative effect of this experience will benefit the district, he said.

"With the onset of term limits, you have so many new people coming in, and each legislator has a limited amount of time they’re able to serve," Lawson said. "And if your region has someone that will hit the ground running, they can have an immediate impact."

As he tries to outflank Monroe County Assessor Paul Quinn in the primary, Lawson has picked up endorsements from Missouri¹s American Federation of Teachers and the Missouri National Education Association.

He also received strong support from Volkmer, who said in a telephone interview that Lawson is dedicated, hardworking and tenacious. "He’s not afraid to tackle problems," Volkmer said. "He’s not going to back down on something; he’s going to fight for what he believes in."

Former Democratic state Rep. Tim Harlan, D-Columbia, praised Lawson’s experience and hardworking attitude.

"His prior work with the governor is helpful because he understands how things work in the Capitol," Harlan said. "There’s a learning curve to see how things happen there, and I think he’d have an advantage because of that."

Issues he could face include the proposed sale of some assets of the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority. Lawson said he’s concerned about the potential sale’s effect on students and their parents. He’s worried rural communities might be hurt because MOHELA provides loan forgiveness for doctors, nurses and teachers who go to work in underserved areas.

"Does that mean I oppose the projects at the University of Missouri" that would be funded from the assets sale? "No. I’m fully supportive of that. But the other issue is that the University of Missouri is the flagship university in the state for higher education. What we are talking about is funding projects that are not only meaningful to the region, but the entire state, with one-time money."

Lawson called the 2005 Medicaid cuts "indiscriminate" and "unnecessary" and said he would favor insurance pools for small businesses and farmers. He said Gov. Matt Blunt, a Republican, should have searched for other routes to save funds, such as asking recipients whether they’re a veteran and pointing them toward federal benefits.

He supports a statewide ballot initiative to raise the minimum wage because he thinks it would benefit employees and employers. "It would help maintain good employees," Lawson said. "You’d see training costs go down, so I don’t think it would be as much of an impact on businesses as some people say it would."

On social issues, Lawson said he would support providing legal protection to homeowners using deadly force against an intruder. He said he believes abortion is wrong but stopped short of supporting a ban. "I think the best role of government when it comes to this issue is to prevent pregnancies that lead to abortion," Lawson said, "and that is through funding of family planning services and giving families and individuals the options that help them make wise decisions to prevent pregnancy."

Lawson said he supports an initiative to allow Missouri researchers to pursue stem cell research.

"We shouldn’t be limiting ourselves more than any of the eight states around us or the 49 states," he said. "This is something that’s been handled by the federal government. I think we shouldn’t limit Missourians from receiving cures or limit our research capability to provide those cures."

If he defeats Quinn in the primary, Lawson said his strengths would propel him to victory in November over the Republican opponent, Howard County Treasurer Kathyrne Harper.

"This election is steeped in who I am and who I’ve become," Lawson said. "The communities where I grew up and where I live now have shaped where I am today. I think not many people can say that in how rooted they are in this region that this district represents."

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Reach Jason Rosenbaum at (573) 815-1724 or jflory@tribmail.com.

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