Ozark business owner seeks Missouri House seat

Courtesy Jamie Ray Gragg's campaign website

Jamie Ray Gragg is seeking the 140th District seat in the House.

Business owner and entertainer Jamie Ray Gragg is running for a seat in the Missouri House of Representatives.

Gragg, who owns Ozark Mountain Tops and Artworks and has played characters – including a train robber – at Silver Dollar City for 20 years, is seeking the 140th District seat covering the eastern portion of Christian County, according to a news release.

"Jamie Ray Gragg is the right man at the right time," campaign officials said in the release. "Jamie is not a politician but a neighbor, father, business owner and devoted Christian.

"He has grown weary of seeing the same results from the same decisions from the same politicians."

Gragg is slated to appear on the Aug. 2 ballot as a Republican.

The 140th District seat currently is held by Rep. Tricia Derges, who last year was indicted for an alleged wire fraud scheme and illegally providing prescription drugs to clients. A superseding indictment added additional charges in March 2021, including allegations of receiving Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funds through fraudulent means. Derges has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and a trial scheduled for August was postponed to June 2022, according to past reporting.

The only 140th District candidate currently registered for the Aug. 2 ballot is Democrat Amy Freeland, according to Missouri Ethics Commission records.