Mike Hamra weighs run for governor as a Democrat, challenging Crystal Quade

Rep. Crystal Quade may face some competition in her bid to secure the Democratic nomination for Missouri Governor in 2024.

Mike Hamra, CEO of Springfield-based Hamra Enterprises, has filed campaign committee paperwork with the Missouri Ethics Commission, which is a step one must take when more than $500 has been spent towards launching a political campaign.

Hamra has not officially declared his candidacy yet, but reporting by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch indicates that he plans to make his decision by the end of the month.

Requests for comment from Hamra were not answered in time for inclusion in this article.

In previous interviews, he said that initial reactions to his exploratory phase of running for Missouri governor were positive, leading him to form the campaign committee. Rumors have been circulating about his prospective candidacy since mid-July.

According to reporting by the Springfield Business Journal, Hamra was special counsel to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration during the Clinton administration. Hamra also helped to draft the 1996 Telecommunications Act.

He was chief of staff and legal adviser for the Federal Communications Commission’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau from 1994-1997. He represented the United States in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 2001, being commissioned to do so by the U.S. Department of State.

Hamra earned the Commerce Department’s Bronze Medal in honor of superior federal service. Following this stint in the federal government, he took over Hamra Enterprises in 2011.

Hamra Enterprises operates almost 200 businesses under brands including Wendy’s, Panera Bread, Noodles and Co., and Caribou. It was founded by Mike Hamra’s father, Sam Hamra, who was once active in political fundraising for candidates including Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter.

If Hamra decides to run, he will compete against Quade for the Democratic nomination in the 2024 gubernatorial race.

Whoever emerges victorious from the Democratic primary in August will go on to face the victor of the Republican gubernatorial primary. Currently, the frontrunners in the GOP race are Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and state Sen. Bill Eigel.

More: Quade retains key advantages in gubernatorial campaign, but faces headwinds

Quade currently represents the state’s 132nd district, which includes part of Greene County, in the Missouri House of Representatives, and serves as House Minority Floor Leader. She criticized Hamra for allegations that his employees are underpaid and refused leave time, as well as denouncing Republican candidates with a political family legacy and conservative viewpoints.

“My opponents have a record of paying low wages and denying sick leave, inheriting their careers or running off their daddy's names, or being a part of the extremism Missourians are sick of,” Quade said.

Hamra told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Hamra Enterprises is "often leading the industry in employee compensation and benefits," and that “treating our team well has been a key part of our company’s growth."

Quade sees key differences between herself and other contender’s seeking the governor’s office.

“The differences between me and all of my opponents are stark,” Quade said. “I grew up a waitress’s kid. The only silver spoons I had were the ones I helped my mom wrap for the diner.”

Quade has received official endorsements from local labor unions, three state senators and 37 state representatives.

She gained endorsements from former Gov. Bob Holden and former Secretary of State Jason Kander, both Democrats.

“Crystal Quade is the real deal. As a social worker, Crystal knows the hardships Missouri families are facing,” said Jason Kander in a post on X. “She’s tough, compassionate, and a proven leader. She is exactly who we need to lead Missouri forward."

The Missouri chapter of the National Women's Political Caucus, Access Mo, SEIU State Council and SEIU Healthcare have also endorsed Quade.

“On behalf of the thousands of Missouri members and retirees of SEIU, we are honored to endorse Crystal Quade for governor,” said Lenny Jones, president of SEIU Missouri State Council and vice president of SEIU Healthcare, in a post on X.

Quade has also received the support of the Missouri Sierra Club, an environmental organization. On X, she also received endorsements from Missouri AFL-CIO, the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 655 and Teamsters Local 245.

“I'm proud of my record of standing up for workers’ rights, women’s rights and making sure our farmland is owned by Missourians and not countries overseas,” Quade said.

Campaign committee filings on the Missouri Ethics Commision reveal that Eric D. Morrison, pastor of Kingdom Word Ministries in Kansas City, and Sheryl Gladney, who serves on the Breckenridge Hills City Council, are also considering running for Missouri governor on the Democratic ticket.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield businessman weighs Democratic run for Missouri governor