Mike Parson facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids Mike Parson


57th Governor of Missouri
In office June 1, 2018 – January 13, 2025
Lieutenant	Mike Kehoe
Preceded by	Eric Greitens
Succeeded by	Mike Kehoe
47th Lieutenant Governor of Missouri
In office January 9, 2017 – June 1, 2018
Governor	Eric Greitens
Preceded by	Peter Kinder
Succeeded by	Mike Kehoe
Member of the Missouri Senate from the 28th district
In office January 5, 2011 – January 4, 2017
Preceded by	Delbert Scott
Succeeded by	Sandy Crawford
Member of the Missouri House of Representatives from the 133rd district
In office January 5, 2005 – January 5, 2011
Preceded by	Ronnie Miller
Succeeded by	Sue Entlicher
Sheriff of Polk County
In office 1993–2004
Preceded by	Charles Simmons
Succeeded by	Steven Bruce

Personal details
Born	Michael Lynn Parson (1955-09-17) September 17, 1955 (age 69) Wheatland, Missouri, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Teresa Parson (m. 1985)
Children	2
Military service
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1975–1981
Rank	Sergeant
Unit	Military Police Corps

Michael Lynn Parson (born September 17, 1955) is an American politician. He served as the 57th governor of Missouri from 2018 to 2025. He is a member of the Republican Party.

Parson became governor after the previous governor, Eric Greitens, resigned. Before that, Parson was the lieutenant governor from 2017 to 2018. He finished Greitens's term and was elected governor in his own right in 2020.

He also served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2005 to 2011. Then, he was in the Missouri Senate from 2011 to 2017. As governor, he managed the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also made decisions about mail-in voting and the state's reaction to public protests.

Early Life and Career
Political Career in Missouri
- Lieutenant Governor of Missouri
  - Housing Tax Credit
Governor of Missouri
Personal Life
Images for kids
See also

Early Life and Career

Parson as Polk County Sheriff

Michael Lynn Parson was born on September 17, 1955, in Wheatland, Missouri. He grew up on a farm in Hickory County. He finished high school at Wheatland High School in 1973.

In 1975, Parson joined the United States Army. He served for six years in the Military Police Corps. He left the Army in 1981 as a sergeant. While in the Army, he took night classes at the University of Maryland and the University of Hawaii.

After the Army, Parson became a sheriff's deputy in Hickory County in 1981. In 1983, he moved to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. There, he became their first criminal investigator. He then served as the Polk County sheriff from 1993 to 2004.

In 1984, Parson bought a gas station and named it Mike's. Over time, he owned and ran three gas stations in the area.

Political Career in Missouri

Parson in 2012

Parson was first elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 2004. He represented the 133rd District. He was reelected in 2006 and 2008. During his time in the House, he led the House Rules Committee.

In 2010, Parson was elected to the Missouri Senate. He promised not to raise taxes. He served as the Senate majority whip during the 96th General Assembly. He was reelected in 2014 without anyone running against him.

Lieutenant Governor of Missouri

Parson first planned to run for governor in 2016. But he decided to run for lieutenant governor instead. He won the Republican primary and then the general election on November 8, 2016. He defeated Russ Carnahan, a former U.S. Representative.

Parson became lieutenant governor on January 9, 2017. He worked to update the lieutenant governor's office. He also sought funds for travel related to state business. His office often noted that its budget was smaller than other statewide elected officials in Missouri.

Parson's office also looked into concerns about care at the Missouri Veterans Home in St. Louis.

Housing Tax Credit

In December 2017, Parson voted to keep a state tax credit. This credit, worth $140 million, helps developers build housing for people with lower incomes. Other officials had opposed this program. Parson and then-state treasurer Eric Schmitt were the only members to vote to keep the tax credit.

Governor of Missouri

Parson being sworn in as Governor of Missouri in 2018 by Mary Rhodes Russell alongside his wife Teresa

On June 1, 2018, Mike Parson became governor of Missouri. He was sworn in shortly after the previous governor resigned.

Parson supported Donald Trump in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections. He was the honorary chairman for Trump's 2020 reelection campaign in Missouri.

2020 Election

Parson at a press conference in 2019

Parson ran for his first full term as governor in 2020. He won the Republican primary election on August 4, 2020. He then defeated Democratic candidate Nicole Galloway in the general election on November 3.

Key Appointments

In June 2018, Governor Parson appointed Mike Kehoe as lieutenant governor. This appointment was challenged in court. However, in 2019, the Missouri Supreme Court decided that Parson had the legal right to make the appointment.

Parson appointed Robin Ransom to the Supreme Court of Missouri. She was the first African-American woman to serve on that court.

COVID-19 Pandemic Response

Parson wearing a face mask in October 2020

In March 2020, Parson announced the first known cases of COVID-19 in Missouri. He said the state had received federal aid to fight the virus. He also said the state would increase testing.

Parson decided to let school districts choose whether to close schools. He also announced that all Missouri casinos would close temporarily. On March 21, he announced a new plan to slow the virus. This plan included banning gatherings of more than 10 people and limiting restaurants to takeout only.

Parson (far right) at the White House in July 2020 with Vice President Mike Pence, President Donald Trump, and First Lady Melania Trump during an event encouraging school re-opening

On April 3, Parson issued a statewide stay-at-home order. This order took effect three days later and was later extended. He also ordered public schools to close until the new school year. After the order ended, he let counties decide how to enforce social distancing.

In July 2020, Parson supported reopening schools. He said that schoolchildren were at low risk from the virus. He also did not support requiring people to wear face masks.

On September 23, 2020, Parson and his wife, Teresa, both tested positive for COVID-19. They both had mild symptoms and fully recovered by October 2020.

Parson receiving his COVID-19 vaccine in February 2021

In January 2021, Parson called on the Missouri National Guard to help with vaccination efforts. In February 2021, a report showed that Missouri was behind in vaccine distribution. Parson said vaccine supply was very limited.

In June 2021, Parson signed a law that banned "COVID-19 passports." It also limited how long local health orders could last. In July 2021, he announced a Vaccine Incentive Program. This program gave vaccinated Missourians a chance to win money.

In November 2021, a state study found that mask mandates helped reduce COVID-19 infections and deaths. This study was not made public by the health department at first.

Death Penalty Decisions

As governor, Parson made decisions about death penalty cases. He did not grant clemency (mercy) in these cases.

In April 2024, Parson denied clemency to Brian Dorsey, who was executed. Many people, including prison workers and jurors, had asked for his sentence to be changed.

In September 2024, Parson ended an investigation into whether Marcellus Williams, a death row inmate, was innocent. Williams was executed later that month.

Gun Laws

On June 14, 2021, Parson signed a bill. This law stops local police from enforcing certain federal gun laws. It also allows lawsuits against agencies that do. The U.S. Department of Justice said the law went against federal rules.

Some cities and counties in Missouri sued the state to stop the law. In February 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice also sued. In March 2023, a federal judge found the state law unconstitutional.

Parson signing a bill in 2019

Medicaid Expansion

Parson was against the 2020 Missouri vote on Medicaid expansion. This would have expanded health coverage to more citizens. He worried about how it would affect the state budget.

However, Missouri voters approved the expansion in August 2020. Despite this, Parson initially tried to deny the expansion in May 2021. He again said it was due to funding concerns. In July 2021, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that the expansion was legal. This allowed it to move forward.

Border Security Efforts

In February 2024, Parson announced that 200 National Guard members and 22 Highway Patrol troopers would go to Texas's southern border. This was part of an effort to help with border security. He also asked for $2.3 million to support these efforts.

Personal Life

Mike and Teresa Parson in 2020

Parson married his wife, Teresa, in 1985. They have two children. While Parson was governor, they lived at the Missouri Governor's Mansion in Jefferson City. Their personal home is in Bolivar.

Parson is a third-generation farmer. He started a cow and calf farm near Bolivar in 1985, which he still owns. He is also a Baptist.