Gragg announces state rep. candidacy

Republic resident and Springfield business owner Dave Gragg announced his candidacy for the 130th District of the state House of Representatives.
A Democrat, Gragg is running for the seat vacated by Republican Jeff Messenger, who is ineligible to run in 2020 because of term limits.
The 130th district encompasses the western third of Greene County, an area that has voted for Republican candidates in the past, but voted for issues backed by Democrats in 2018, including a higher minimum wage, Clean Missouri and the Right to Work repeal.
A Missouri native, Gragg grew up in Montrose and graduated from Truman State University. The 43-year-old former newspaper journalist started his insurance agency in 2011.
He and his wife, Maria, live in Republic with their three sons.
He is a member of the Springfield and Republic chambers of commerce and has been active in his children’s schools and the Republic Parks and Recreation youth leagues.
The public is invited to Gragg’s campaign kickoff 6-8 p.m. Sept. 9 at JR Martin Park, 300 E. Hines, Republic.