Wasson: 'It's my duty' to run for congressional seat

Former state legislator Jay Wasson wasn't looking to run for a seat in Washington, D.C., but he said events at the Capitol in recent weeks spurred action.

"I think we're already seeing the results of the inflation from the incredible spending," he said in an interview with Springfield Business Journal. "I feel like it's going to bankrupt America."

Wasson, a Republican who served 2010-18 in the Missouri Senate after four terms in the state's House of Representatives, yesterday announced his candidacy for the 7th District Congressional seat currently held by Rep. Billy Long, R-Missouri.

A real estate developer, Wasson this morning said his campaign does not currently have money on hand but that fundraising efforts would begin soon.

Wasson said that while he had encouragement to seek the seat when Long announced a bid for the U.S. Senate this summer, he didn't plan to run until trillions of dollars worth of spending plans began circulating in earnest through Washington.

"We don't always get to pick the time that we're called to duty. It's happened now," he said. "I feel like it's my duty to do this."

In the federal House, Wasson said a priority would be fiscal responsibility, an issue he was active in when serving as a legislator in Jefferson City.

"The first thing I would like to do is pass a balanced budget amendment," Wasson said. "We do it in the state of Missouri every year."

Another local, Missouri state Sen. Eric Burlison, has announced a bid for Long's seat. Missouri state Sen. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove, also has announced his candidacy for the seat.