Former House Speaker Steve Gaw Announces for Congress

February 1, 2008

“This is where I’m from; it’s a part of who I am. In these tough economic times, the working families of our district deserve a fighter — someone who will work hard for them in Washington. I’m asking for that chance.”

Steve Gaw, former Speaker of the House and advocate for consumers, today announced his candidacy for Congress in Missouri's 9th district.

"The people of the 9th district deserve a strong voice in Washington. We are facing challenging times with soaring gas prices, increasing utility rates, and health care costs that are out of control. We need someone in Washington who will focus on what’s important to the middle class families of this district—who will ensure that the concerns of people in our part of Missouri are heard."

Gaw was raised in Randolph County. He graduated from Moberly High School, Truman State University, and the University of Missouri. Steve and Fannie Gaw live on a farm in Callaway County with their daughter Skylar.

As a state lawmaker, Speaker of the House, and Chairman of the Public Service Commission, Gaw has a long list of public service accomplishments, which include:

sponsoring tax cuts for middle class families—including the legislation that eliminated taxes on groceries;
proposing legislation to create Missouri's "DO NOT CALL" list, one of the first in the nation;
fighting for the development of ethanol plants in rural Missouri;
establishing Missouri's sex offender registry;
ushering in an new era of ethics after scandal had rocked the Capitol;
implementing improvements in education, like a program focusing students on the fundamentals of reading and arithmetic;
creating new opportunities for Missourians to continue their education at the vocational/technical, junior college, and university levels.

Gaw said he will wage a vigorous campaign throughout the 9th Congressional District. Gaw was elected to the House of Representatives in ’92, ’94, ’96, and ’98. He was elected Speaker of the House in ’96, ’97, and ’99. In 2000, Gaw raised over $1.5 million in a race for Missouri Secretary of State.