Springfield businessman launches run for Missouri governor as Democrat

JEFFERSON CITY — In a direct challenge to the top Democrat in the Missouri House, a Springfield businessman on Thursday announced his campaign for Missouri governor.

Michael Hamra, the CEO of Springfield-based Hamra Enterprises, said he would run against House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, also from Springfield, for the Democratic Party’s gubernatorial nomination in August.

“I’m running for governor because our political leaders in Jefferson City seem out of ideas, with partisan food fights, ideological warfare and a rush to score points, instead of serving the people who elected them. It’s time we change things,” Hamra said in a campaign launch video.

Hamra’s campaign said he knows how to create jobs and “work with people he doesn’t always agree with.”

As governor, Hamra’s campaign said he would work on workforce development, growing small businesses, lowering household costs and “restoring the right for women to make their own reproductive health care decisions,” according to his campaign.

Hamra said earlier this month he was considering a bid for governor and would likely announce his plans at the end of October.

The company he runs, Hamra Enterprises, is a franchisee of Panera Bread, Wendy’s and Noodles and Co. restaurants.

In a swing at Hamra earlier this month, Quade charged Hamra had “a record of paying low wages and denying sick leave.”

“I’m proud of my record of standing up for workers’ rights,” she said.

Hamra said in response, “Treating our team well has been a key part of our company’s growth.”

Hamra’s father is Sam Hamra, founder of Hamra Enterprises and longtime Democratic politico from Springfield.