Platte County voters this November will see a familiar name on the ballot for Missouri Attorney General.
Chris Byrd, a 1986 Platte County R-3 High School graduate, will pit his experience and concern for the office’s management against current Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon.
Byrd, a Republican, thinks after 12 years at the helm, it’s time for Missourians to make a change in the office of attorney general.
“He’s been in office for 12 years and I feel he may be losing sight of what’s important to the citizens of Missouri,” explained Byrd.
If Byrd is chosen by voters in November, he stated two main issues that need to be addressed.
“The first issue is fulfilling the laws that are actually on the books despite preference,” said Byrd. “All laws should be defended despite personal beliefs.”
According to Byrd, the state has seen that happen with Nixon on the issue of abortion. Byrd maintains that when an issue arises that Nixon doesn’t believe in, he’ll refuse to take the case, forcing the state to hire an attorney out of the office to represent the state, costing taxpayers the extra expense.
The second issue Byrd wants to bring to people’s attention is attorney contributions.
Byrd stated that if the tort reform bill (litigation reform) is passed, “it will be biting the hand that feeds him (Nixon).”
“Since 1996, Nixon has received over $800,000 in funds from attorney contributions,” explained Byrd. “If that law is passed, the people that are contributing to him would be hurt severely.”
Byrd also points out there is a clear conflict of interest.
“The attorneys he’s challenging in court are also contributing to his campaign,” said Byrd. “This is why I’m not accepting any attorney contributions.”
According to Byrd, he feels his diverse experience makes him qualified to take over the role as Missouri’s Attorney General.
“The attorney general position is the one position that you can most effect change in. It’s a very unique position that covers many areas of the law,” stated Byrd.
“Many times when I’m out talking to people you hear that it seems like the attorney general doesn’t have an understanding of what’s going on,” stated Byrd.
“I want to bring that common sense understanding of the laws to the attorney general’s office. If you don’t understand what you’re regulating, you have a very hard time being effective at that regulating.”
Byrd, 36, is an undergraduate from the University of Missouri with a bachelor of science in secondary education. He also has a MBA in finance from UMKC (University of Missouri at Kansas City), a Juris Doctorate from UMKC, and an LL.M. Master of Laws.
He is admitted into the Missouri Bar, the U.S. District Court, and the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Byrd is involved in various civic associations including: the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Missouri Alumni Board, Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce Chair, Legislative Committee and Planning & Development Committee, Platte County Economic Development Council board member and chair, Public Policy Committee, City of Kansas City Impact Fee Committee, Rotary Club Secretary, and Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America.
Byrd and wife Tracy have two sons, eight-year-old Colin and six-year-old Ian. The family resides in Kansas City.