Election season is ramping up and politicians will be reaching out to local organizations for support.
This is what happened at the California Lions Club when Rep. Willard Haley, R-Eldon, attended its July 6 meeting.
After the club finished its business setting up its agenda for July, it turned its attention to Haley.
He gave a quick rundown of history with the district as well as the county. He said he has been fortunate to represent the southern half of Moniteau County; however, as the state redraws its districts, he would advocate for more than just a portion of the area if elected.
Haley said, while representing District 58, he initially had Morgan County and parts of Moniteau and Miller counties. Due to redistricting along county lines much of the district has shifted.
"In the redistricting, I've always had all of Morgan County...then I had part of Miller, including Eldon, where I've had my career for 32 years in the school system," Haley explained. "So, I'm losing Eldon and Miller County, which is a big base of mine after working there for so long. But I'm gaining all of Moniteau County, the rest of it that I thought I did not have, and the part of Cooper County that is in Clarksburg."
Haley emphasized he's spent the last two years learning the duties of a state representative. He said representatives are given a term limit of eight years in office and, after finishing his first term, would like to continue his work in the Legislature.
This is the second time a state representative candidate appeared during a California Lions Club meeting this election season. Candidate Casey Pemberton gave his campaign presentation to members in April in preparation for the upcoming election.
Haley expressed to the Lions Club that he doesn't consider himself a politician. Haley told members about his background in agriculture and education and how those two subjects influenced his career. Haley said he is not there to build a name for himself, to run for Senate, lieutenant governor or any other high ranking position.
"I just want to do what I can to represent the constituents in the Versailles, Stover, Laurie, Tipton, California and Jamestown areas the best that I can," he said.