Two candidates are filed to compete in the Republican primary for State Representative in Missouri's 58th District.
Willard Haley, a former educator, and minister Timothy Faber are running in the Aug. 4 primary for a position on the November ballot to fill the seat vacated by David Wood, R-Versailles, who served his final term in that office due to term-limits.
Haley was born in Cooper County and was raised on the family's dairy farm at Pilot Grove. He graduated from Pilot Grove High School as the valedictorian in 1979 and attended the University of Missouri Columbia. He obtained a BS in Agriculture Education, a BS in Agriculture Mechanization, and an MS in Practical Arts and Vocational/Technical Education.
Haley was employed by the Eldon R-1 School District as a teacher and administrator for 32 years, serving as an Agriculture Education Instructor and FFA Advisor for 25 years and as the Director of the Eldon Career Center for seven years. In addition, he was an adjunct Agriculture Instructor for State Fair Community College for two years.
Willard has been married to his wife, Jerri (Klein), for 36 years and live on a small farm in eastern Morgan County. The couple have two children. Their son, Jeremy; his wife, Meridith; and their 2-year old son, Kaiden, live in Columbia. Their daughter, Jana; her husband, Kelsey Flynn; and their 1-year old daughter, Farrah, live in Troy.
Haley is a member of the Eldon United Methodist Church where he previously served as the Chairman of the Administrative Council for nine years. He served as the President of the Eldon Chamber of Commerce, the President if the Miller County Fair Board, a 4-H Project Leader and is currently serving as a co-chairman of the Cole & Miller County Long Term Recovery Committee. He is also a member of the Eldon Area Farmers Organization, the NRA, Morgan County Farm Bureau, Eldon FFA Alumni and is a Lake Area FCA Board Member.
Haley states his commitments are: Pro-life, Pro-2nd Amendment, education, workforce development, small business and agriculture. He is also a strong supporter of the military, as several family members are currently serving our country. He has been endorsed by the Missouri Right to Life, Missouri State Teacher's Association and Better Schools for Missouri Committee.
Having lived in the area included in the 58th District for more than 37 years, Haley said he knows the concerns of its constituents. His diverse background has provided experience in the areas of interest to the voters, including workforce development, career training, agriculture, education, business development, and infrastructure needs. He stated he is looking forward to getting to know more of the constituents of the 58th District. Haley expressed his interest to be a voice for all constituents if elected and said he will represent all citizens to the best of his ability.
Faber is a native Missourian, having grown up in St. Louis County and Franklin County, and has spent half of his adult life in Cooper, Miller and Morgan counties. He graduated from Union High School, where he was vice president of the FFA chapter and earned his State Farmer degree during his junior year. Faber holds a BA from Southwest Baptist University, a Master's from Luther Rice Seminary and a Doctorate from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
Faber has served on the city council in Kidder and pastored four churches over a span of 25 years. He is a former adjunct professor at Ivy Tech Community College and Grand Canyon University and an online professor at Liberty University. Faber also serves as Director of the Lake of the Ozarks Baptist Association.
He has been married to his wife, Teresa, for 33 years - the pair has four children and four grandchildren.
Similar to Haley, Faber carries pro-life values, and is a supporter of religious liberty, 2nd Amendment rights, veterans, school choice and fiscal responsibility, among other issues.