Eddy Justice announces bid for Mo. Senate District 25 seat

While formal filing for the District 25 seat currently held by Sen. Doug Libla won’t begin until February 2020, two candidates have already expressed interest in the position.

Poplar Bluff businessman Eddy Justice announced today he is seeking the seat when Libla’s current term ends. Libla is prevented by term limits from running again.

A primary election will be held in August 2020 for the seat that represents Stoddard, Butler, Carter, Mississippi, New Madrid, Dunklin, Pemiscot and Shannon counties.

Justice has registered a campaign committee with the Missouri Ethics Commission, as has former state Rep. Steve Cookson, also of Poplar Bluff.

Both Cookson and Justice are Republicans.

Cookson said Monday he is considering a run for the office, but has not made a formal decision and his campaign committee is not operating at this time. Cookson served eight years in the Missouri House of Representatives for District 153. His last term ended in 2018.

Justice, 46, is a State Farm insurance agent, and active in the Republican party at the local and state level.

“I seek to serve with a servant’s heart,” Justice said in a press release, “my faith tells me to work for the good of others, and that is what I aim to do.”

Justice is currently secretary of the Butler County Republican Central Committee, and a former chair of the organization. He is treasurer of the House Republican campaign committee and on the Republican state committee.

He was previously appointed to the State House reapportionment commission by Gov. Jay Nixon. He is also a former president of the Lion’s Club.

“I am running as a conservative outsider because I want to be a voice for the people in Jefferson City, to stand up for their rights as Americans and to keep government off our backs,” Justice said.

Among his legislative priorities, Justice said he is determined to protect small businesses and farms from government overreach and over regulation. He believes it is vital to improve the business environment to encourage more opportunity for people in Southeast Missouri. Justice added he sees smart investments in infrastructure and important tax reform as just a few ways to improve the economic environment.

“We have seen the ability of the American people to achieve their dreams when they are unyoked by government,” Justice said, of his desire to revitalize Southeast Missouri.

Justice said he would support President Donald Trump’s agenda in Southeast Missouri.

“President Trump’s actions as president have been a boon for our country’s economy, bringing back jobs and businesses to America,” Justice said in his statement. “I wish to do the same for our region.

“At the same time, I want to stand up for Missourians’ Constitutional rights, their right to bear arms, and the rights of unborn children all over the state.”

Justice has been a State Farm agent for more than 20 years, and lived in Butler County for much of that time.

He and his wife, Penny, have four children, Bret, Lacey, Drew and Noah, and they have six grandchildren. Noah attends Westwood Baptist Academy. Eddy and his wife are members of Temple Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff.

He is also a member of the National Federation of Independent Businesses and a member of the Chamber of Commerce.

Justice has retained Axiom Strategies to serve as consultants on his campaign.