Crystal Quade makes run for governor official at Big Momma's

A day after announcing her run for Missouri governor in a spirited video that illustrated a blue-collar background and an affinity for roller derby, Crystal Quade made her candidacy official at a coffee shop just blocks from her Springfield home.

The Missouri House Minority Leader and Democratic representative for District 132 greeted constituents and fielded questions from reporters on Monday at Big Momma's on Commercial Street, all within earshot of frenzied baristas handing cups of morning brew.

Quade, a former server and the daughter of a waitress during her childhood, used this setting to help convey the type of Missourians she aims to represent in Jefferson City: the working class.

"I'm running for governor so that people who are working extra shifts today can make life better for their kids tomorrow," said Quade, a Logan-Rogersville High School and Missouri State graduate.

If Quade were to win her bid for governor, she would be the first woman in Missouri to hold the office.

Repeating a phrase from her campaign video, Quade told the room "Missouri's never seen a governor like me."

Quade would be the first Springfield native on the ballot since Matt Blunt, who was elected governor in 2004 and served one term. Republican Bob Dixon announced his intention to run for the state's top office in 2016 but ultimately dropped out of the race.

More: Springfield Rep. Crystal Quade launches 2024 campaign for governor

Current Republican Gov. Mike Parson is prevented by term limits from running again, leaving 2024 up for grabs. On the Republican side, Quade would likely face either Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe or Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, who are running for their party’s nomination.

The primary election will be held August 6, 2024.

Quade, a pro-choice candidate on the state's contentious abortion rights issue, said she is "going to run this race like I do everything else, without fear."

"I'd be silly to say (being a woman) doesn't impact what we do," she said. "There are so few women in our legislature that a bill goes through the senate and to the governor's desk without a single woman voting on it."

Fielding questions Quade about a bevy of issues, she was pressed Monday on how she would deal with rising crime throughout the Missouri cities, including Springfield.

One thing Quade said she would do is "listen to law enforcement officers. During my time in Jefferson City, every time there's been some sort of a crime bill or something with gun safety, the law enforcement officers come and testify and often testify against what the Republican majority is trying to do."

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Crystal Quade makes run for governor official at Big Momma's