Elliott also has a family connection to Weston, where his daughter lives. He previously helped Jones navigate local politics and campaign strategy during Jones’ successful 2024 run for the Missouri House.

Jones said he entered politics after researching what Missouri was doing for veterans with permanent and total disabilities. He credited John and Julie Elliott with helping him understand county party organizations and the mechanics of running a campaign.

“I didn’t even know there was a central committee,” Jones said. “I certainly wouldn’t be here without John and Julie Elliott.”

Jones said the two could work together on regional issues if voters elect him to the Senate and Elliott to the House.

Property-tax stability would be among Jones’ priorities in the Senate, particularly for older residents and veterans with permanent and total disabilities.

“People need stability,” Jones said.

Jones said property taxes were among the concerns he heard most frequently while knocking on about 10,000 doors during his House campaign. Some residents told him increases in assessments had added hundreds of dollars to their monthly housing costs.

He said residents also raised concerns about nursing home accountability, educational opportunities for children with disabilities and state assistance rules that can discourage parents from accepting raises because additional income could cause their families to lose benefits.

Jones also identified public safety, education and housing affordability as priorities. He said families, particularly those raising children with disabilities, need educational options that better address their children’s needs.

“I think being qualified is being present and listening and responding and putting in the work to understand your constituency,” Jones said.

Jones faces Sean Pouche and Ryan Gerster in the Aug. 4 Republican primary. Shereka Barnes and Pam May are seeking the Democratic nomination. The seat is held by Republican Tony Luetkemeyer, who was first elected in 2018 and is unable to seek another Senate term because of term limits.

Elliott is the only Republican candidate filed for House District 13. Jacoby Wynkoop of Rushville is the only Democratic candidate filed for the seat, meaning both are expected to advance to the Nov. 3 general election.

Elliott served as a Platte County commissioner from 2017 through 2020. He said he is running to focus state government on basic responsibilities, including roads, taxes, regulation and responsible spending.

“Just getting the government to take care of the basics, so that people have the opportunity to live their lives without interruptions, without surprises — higher taxes and bumpier roads,” Elliott said.

He warned that the next General Assembly could face difficult budget decisions as pandemic-era federal funding is depleted. Elliott said his experience as a county commissioner prepared him to weigh competing priorities during challenging financial periods.

Elliott acknowledged that freshman legislators often have limited influence among the 163 members of the Missouri House. He said he would build relationships with more experienced lawmakers and support worthwhile proposals even when another legislator receives credit.

“I don’t care who gets the credit as long as good legislation is passed,” Elliott said.

Elliott also called for greater accountability within the Missouri Department of Transportation and Missouri Department of Conservation. He argued that the MoDOT director should be more directly accountable to the governor or an elected governing body.

He also supports closing Missouri’s partisan primaries so voters could participate only in their party’s nomination process. Missouri currently allows voters to select a party ballot without registering with that party.

Shane Bartee, who co-hosted the Weston event with his wife, Susanna, said they support Elliott because of his record as county commissioner.

“John performed his duties as commissioner in an efficient and steady manner with a common-sense approach to government,” Bartee said. “We think he’ll make an excellent state representative.”

Bartee said Jones’ first two years in office demonstrated the enthusiasm and work ethic needed to represent Platte and Buchanan counties in the Senate.

“Tony Luetkemeyer will be almost impossible to replace, but we think Mike will do a fine job for us in the state Senate,” Bartee said.

Both candidates encouraged residents to pay closer attention to state and local government rather than focusing exclusively on national politics.

“Most of the laws that govern people’s lives are from the state level,” Jones said. “At the state level, things get done.”