Asbridge runs while stationed overseas

The candidate says he'll support students and alternative energy policies.

By Erin Gregory

Published Oct. 20, 2008

Ryan Asbridge hears two calls of duty - one from the civic realm and the other from the military.

The Republican, who is running to replace state Rep. Judy Baker, is active not only on the campaign trail, but also in the U.S. Navy. Although he was recently called to active duty as a Navy intelligence officer, Asbridge decided to continue his campaign because he wanted to present 25th District voters as an alternative to Democrat Mary Still.

"I feel that it was appropriate and necessary to stay in the race," Asbridge said in an interview before he was deployed. "People need to have a choice when they vote."

Born in 1976 at Boone County Hospital, Asbridge has spent most of his life within the city limits of Columbia. He attended and graduated from public schools in Columbia and continued his education here, earning his bachelor's degree in educational studies from MU. Asbridge also graduated from the MU School of Law and received a master's degree in education.

Just as he was beginning to pursue his law degree, Asbridge was commissioned as an intelligence officer in the Navy. He has been stationed all over the nation and is now serving in a classified overseas location. He will likely be out of the country on Election Day but will return before the start of the January legislative term.

Yancy Williams, Asbridge's campaign consultant and close friend, discussed his service as it relates to his campaign.

"Ryan takes his commitments very seriously," Williams said. "He is dedicated to his friends, his family and to the U.S. Navy. The fact that he went into this race knowing that he could be called up at any time demonstrates that he takes his role in the military very seriously, but also that he takes his role as a candidate seriously as well."

Despite his military commitment, Asbridge also wants to make it clear that his duty to the military will not interfere with his duty to voters in the 25th District.

"If I didn't think I could lead in Jefferson City, I wouldn't be running," Asbridge said.

If elected, Asbridge will bring his background as an educator to the House of Representatives. He worked for the Columbia Public Schools for 11 years as a reading specialist and an administrative intern. He also spent four years as a classroom teacher at both the elementary and middle school levels.

"We need to increase spending on the average student and ensure that teachers are paid what they deserve to be paid," Asbridge said.

As an MU graduate, Asbridge also looks to represent the interests of college students. He said one of the most crucial issues is increasing state funding for the university and its programs, including increasing state funding for student financial aid.

Asbridge believes he distinguishes himself from other Republican candidates because of his support for greener energy policy. He advocates the investigation of alternative energy sources, such as nuclear energy, and the necessity of legislation to reward businesses in Missouri for being cleaner and more efficient.

Asbridge also breaks from the socially conservative branch of the Republican Party by supporting embryonic stem-cell research. Research universities, in his view, should not be bound by legislative restrictions on academic freedom.

Williams said she has complete faith in Asbridge's ability to lead.

"Ryan's been a great friend over the years," she said. "He takes his relationships and commitments seriously and will be a great leader in Jefferson City."