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by Kim
Fickett
Landmark reporter
Platte County voters this November will see a
familiar name on the ballot for Missouri Attorney
General.
Chris Byrd, a 1986 Platte County R-3 High School
graduate, will pit his experience and concern
for the office’s management against current
Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon.
Byrd, a Republican, thinks after 12 years at
the helm, it’s time for Missourians to make
a change in the office of attorney general.
“He’s been in office for 12 years and
I feel he may be losing sight of what’s important
to the citizens of Missouri,” explained Byrd.
If Byrd is chosen by voters in November, he stated
two main issues that need to be addressed.
“The first issue is fulfilling the laws
that are actually on the books despite preference,”
said Byrd. “All laws should be defended despite
personal beliefs.”
According to Byrd, the state has seen that happen
with Nixon on the issue of abortion. Byrd maintains
that when an issue arises that Nixon doesn’t
believe in, he’ll refuse to take the case,
forcing the state to hire an attorney out of the
office to represent the state, costing taxpayers
the extra expense.
The second issue Byrd wants to bring to people’s
attention is attorney contributions.
Byrd stated that if the tort reform bill (litigation
reform) is passed, “it will be biting the
hand that feeds him (Nixon).”
“Since 1996, Nixon has received over $800,000
in funds from attorney contributions,” explained
Byrd. “If that law is passed, the people
that are contributing to him would be hurt severely.”
Byrd also points out there is a clear conflict
of interest.
“The attorneys he’s challenging in
court are also contributing to his campaign,”
said Byrd. “This is why I’m not accepting
any attorney contributions.”
According to Byrd, he feels his diverse experience
makes him qualified to take over the role as Missouri’s
Attorney General.
“The attorney general position is the one
position that you can most effect change in. It’s
a very unique position that covers many areas
of the law,” stated Byrd.
“Many times when I’m out talking to
people you hear that it seems like the attorney
general doesn’t have an understanding of
what’s going on,” stated Byrd.
“I want to bring that common sense understanding
of the laws to the attorney general’s office.
If you don’t understand what you’re
regulating, you have a very hard time being effective
at that regulating.”
Byrd, 36, is an undergraduate from the University
of Missouri with a bachelor of science in secondary
education. He also has a MBA in finance from UMKC
(University of Missouri at Kansas City), a Juris
Doctorate from UMKC, and an LL.M. Master of Laws.
He is admitted into the Missouri Bar, the U.S.
District Court, and the 8th U.S. Circuit Court
of Appeals.
Byrd is involved in various civic associations
including: the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, Leadership
Missouri Alumni Board, Northland Regional Chamber
of Commerce Chair, Legislative Committee and Planning
& Development Committee, Platte County Economic
Development Council board member and chair, Public
Policy Committee, City of Kansas City Impact Fee
Committee, Rotary Club Secretary, and Eagle Scout
in the Boy Scouts of America.
Byrd and wife Tracy have two sons, eight-year-old
Colin and six-year-old Ian. The family resides
in Kansas City.
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