Senator Michael L. Parson, a Republican, was elected in 2010 to serve the 28th District in the Missouri Senate. The 28th District includes Benton, Cedar, Dallas, Henry, Hickory, Laclede, Pettis and St. Clair counties. Before being elected to the House of Representatives in 2004, Sen. Parson served as the Polk County Sheriff. He also served six years in the U.S. Army, where he was stationed in Germany and Hawaii.

Senator Parson was raised on a farm in Hickory County, and graduated in 1973 from Wheatland High School in Wheatland, Missouri. He is a small business owner and has been for many years. He is a third generation farmer and currently owns and operates a cow and calf operation near Bolivar.

Senator Parson chairs the Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee and during his first two years in the Senate served as Majority Whip. While serving in the House of Representatives, he was chair of the House Rules Committee, which is responsible for hearing legislation that passes out of all public hearings before it can be debated on the House floor.

In addition to his legislative duties Senator Parson is a member of the following organizations:

  • American Legion
  • Bolivar Chamber of Commerce
  • Lebanon Chamber of Commerce
  • Missouri Farm Bureau
  • Missouri Cattlemen’s Association
  • Missouri Sheriffs Association
  • Missouri State Employee’s Retirement Board - past member
  • National Rifle Association - lifetime member
  • Optimist Club
  • Sedalia Chamber of Commerce

Senator Parson is a past board member of the Bolivar Chamber of Commerce, and a Commissioner of the Missouri Emergency Response Commission. He also started the D.A.R.E. Scholarship Program for each school in Polk County.

Senator Parson currently serves on the following legislative committees and organizations:

  • Agriculture, Food Production & Outdoor Resources
  • Government Accountability and Fiscal Oversight, Chairman
  • Small Business, Insurance & Industry, Vice-Chairman
  • Ways and Means
  • Joint Committee on Legislative Research
  • Health Facilities Review Committee
  • Joint Committee on Terrorism, Bioterrorism and Homeland Security – American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)
  • Joint Committee on the Missouri Criminal Code – past member

He recently received awards from the following associations:

  • Friend of Corn Growers Award
  • Missouri Community College Association Award
  • Advocate for Agribusiness Award
  • SAOVA – The Sportsmen’s & Animal Owners’ Voting Alliance
  • St. Louis Business Journal for promoting small business in the state.
  • Missouri Health Care Association for working with seniors and assisted living facilities.
  • Missouri Children’s Coalition for protecting the rights of children in Missouri.
  • Statesman of the Year Award from RCGA - 2012
  • Missouri Pork Association Outstanding Legislator Award
  • Missouri Chamber of Commerce Spirit of Enterprise Award
  • Mid-Missouri Responsible Breeders Award
  • Missouri Association of Counties for Budget Procedure.

Born September 17, 1955 in Clinton, Missouri, Sen. Parson currently lives in Bolivar with his wife, Teresa who is vice president of Mid Missouri bank. Mike and Teresa are members of First Baptist Church in Bolivar. They have two children: daughter, Stephanie and son Kelly. Sen. Parson also has 5 grandchildren, David, Alicia, Michaela, Benjamin, and Isabella House.