Bryan Spencer, after eight years in the Missouri House representing the Wright City and Wentzville areas, is a private citizen once more. Spencer, who was term-limited out of office in 2020, …
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Bryan Spencer, after eight years in the Missouri House representing the Wright City and Wentzville areas, is a private citizen once more. Spencer, who was term-limited out of office in 2020, reflected on his time in the House and his plans for a future state senate run during a recent interview with The Record.
Spencer, who worked as a teacher before and during his time in office, said he got involved in government to expand the number of people he could make a difference for. He quickly learned that the part of government that shows up on TV — debating and passing laws — was only a small fraction of his job.
Much more of Spencer’s time was spent helping constituents deal with the confusing and sometimes “asinine” agencies of state government, he said. That could mean resolving someone’s tax or regulation issue, or even correcting mistakes in the justice system.
“Looking back at my job as state rep., I made a difference for many,” Spencer commented.
Spencer’s background is in teaching government and social studies, which he said gave him a head start on his first year in office in 2012. But the practical realities of government and politics don’t function as ideally as they do in text books, and Spencer said he soured on government bureaucracy during his time in office.
“I dislike government more today. My faith in government has gone down,” Spencer lamented. “You learn that everything is about money and control. It has nothing to do with doing what’s right for people.”
Still, Spencer said he wants to continue being an advocate for local people in state government. He’s planning to run for the state senate in 2022.
During his time in the House, Spencer said he voted on legislation based on what constituents told him they wanted and needed. That would sometimes put him on the opposite side of fellow Republicans, but he said what’s right for local residents came before party politics.
One piece of legislation Spencer is particularly proud of is a bill to expand student access to online courses not offered at their own schools, paid for by public school funding. He partnered with Sen. Bob Onder of Lake St. Louis to get the change passed.
“It took me six years to get it across the finish line. What’s tough is ... once you file a bill, anything and everything can change in that bill, except for your name,” Spencer commented. “There’s times when you have to kill your own bill.”
Spencer’s legislative record also contains one vote that many local residents consider a blemish, and one bill he regrets not getting over the finish line.
Spencer voted in favor of a state Right-to-Work amendment, which would reduce the power of labor unions, that voters strongly rejected in 2018. Spencer told The Record he had opposed Right-to-Work twice before then, but changed his vote based on voter surveys in favor of the amendment.
“I was in a no-win situation. ... I changed my vote to reflect the people,” Spencer said, stating he was roundly criticized no matter which way he voted on the issue.
Spencer’s one unfulfilled priority is adding new legal protections for businesses that use working animals. Despite pushing a bill for the change, it never made it through the legislative process intact.
“I’m very thankful that (new House Rep.) Richard West recognized the importance of that bill, and he’s carrying it now,” Spencer said.
For his 2022 state senate run, Spencer said his message for voters is that he is always accessible, does whatever he can for constituents, and doesn’t take his role as a representative for granted.
Until then, Spencer said he’ll be teaching full time and working as a volunteer in the area to continue making a difference.
