Mike McCaffree has spent about 30 years in the real estate business, but it was his many years serving on a local school board that helped lead him into his campaign for the Missouri Senate District 28.
McCaffree, who owns McCaffree Real Estate in Nevada, said his connection to education runs deep. He served about 17 years on the Nevada school board, his wife is a teacher, and all of his children attended and graduated from Nevada schools.
“We’re a family that believes in our public schools,” McCaffree said.
That experience, he said, has also given him a firsthand look at the challenges facing public education and prompted him to seek a larger role in Jefferson City.
“I’m concerned about a lot of things going on with Jefferson City at the state level, with public education,” McCaffree said. “I think we need better advocates for our schools in Jefferson City.”
McCaffree said he has made an effort to stay informed about education issues, attending school board conferences and traveling to Jefferson City to meet with legislators.
“I’m really concerned about where things are going with our schools,” McCaffree said.
Teacher compensation is one issue that concerns him. McCaffree said Missouri’s low ranking in teacher pay can affect more than education.
“I think it’s hurting us economically in terms of, you know, attracting new businesses and companies that would move into our state and the district,” McCaffree said. “I think they look at numbers like that, and I think it’s important we do better than next to last.”
Education isn’t McCaffree’s only priority. He said health care and housing are two other major issues he has discussed throughout his campaign.
“Education, health care and housing have been three of the top things that I’ve talked about on the campaign since the beginning,” McCaffree said.
On health care, McCaffree said he is particularly concerned about the financial pressures facing small-town hospitals.
“We’ve got a lot of small-town hospitals all over the state that are struggling,” McCaffree said. “A lot of patients and hospitals are heavily relying on Medicare and Medicaid for reimbursement and I’m concerned about upcoming cuts coming next year with Medicaid, and what they’re going to do to hospitals’ bottom line.”
He said the consequences could extend to patients.
“Patients losing insurance and being able to get care, so that’s a big concern of mine,” McCaffree said. “I know there’s struggles and more struggles to come, and so I want to listen and see what we can do.”
Housing is another area where McCaffree said his professional background gives him a different perspective.
“I want to see more affordable middle-class housing built,” McCaffree said.
After three decades in real estate, McCaffree said he believes he has ideas that could help address the shortage, although he doesn’t expect a simple answer.
“I don’t think there’s a magic bullet solution to any of those problems,” he said, “but I think we need to talk about them and try to find some solutions that will help middle-class people.”
Running against Republican Sam Alexander, McCaffree, a Democrat, describes himself as a moderate and said his approach would be centered on the issues he believes are important to his community.
“I'm a pretty middle-of-the-road guy,” McCaffree said. “I don’t lean really heavy, heavy left or heavy right.”
McCaffree grew up in Nevada and attended Westminster College in Fulton. He said he has spent most of his life in southwest Missouri and has watched the region’s schools provide opportunities for generations of students.
“I’ve seen our public schools do a lot of good, give a lot of kids opportunities to grow,” he said.
Some of those students return to the small communities where they grew up, while others leave for opportunities elsewhere,” McCaffree said. “But I still think we need to support our schools and our hospitals, and those will be top priorities of mine if I’m elected.”
Chris Howell can be reached at 660-530-0146.
