Name: Ben Brown
Age: 41
Hometown: Washington
Occupation: Restaurateur
Position sought: State Senator-District 26
Previous political experience: State Sentate-District 26
Website or social media page: benbrownforsenate.com
Why are you running and why should people vote for you?
As a small-business owner during COVID-19, I saw firsthand how government overreach hurt families, employees, and local businesses. When restrictions forced my restaurant to close, I fought back to defend small businesses and parental rights. That experience is what led me to run for the Missouri Senate in 2022.
Since taking office in 2023, I’ve continued fighting for the same principles that first brought me to Jefferson City: protecting individual liberties, defending taxpayers, and holding government accountable. I’m proud of the results, including legislation I sponsored that prohibits foreign-national funding of Missouri ballot measures, senior property tax freeze legislation to protect older Missourians, and the Homeschoolers Sports Act signed into law in 2025, which gives homeschooled students more opportunities to participate in public school sports and activities.
As Chairman of the Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee, I’ve worked to make Missouri a more pro-growth state—encouraging new development, attracting businesses, and creating good-paying jobs across the state and in the 26th District. Missouri should be a place where businesses want to invest, families can prosper, and communities can grow.
I didn’t get into politics to build a career. My focus remains on protecting our freedoms, ensuring responsible government, and representing the people of the 26th District. It’s been an honor to serve our communities, and I hope to continue that work.
What are your goals if elected?
My top priorities are securing our elections, cutting government waste, lowering taxes, and making Missouri more affordable for families while attracting businesses and creating good-paying jobs.
Election Integrity
I sponsored Senate Joint Resolution 78, which voters approved as Amendment 7 in 2024. It banned ranked-choice voting and locked into our state Constitution that only U.S. citizens may vote in Missouri elections. I also passed Senate Bill 152 to stop foreign funding of Missouri ballot measures, and introduced the SAVE Act to strengthen citizenship verification for voter registration. I will keep working to ensure every legal vote counts and our elections stay secure and transparent.
Government Accountability and Tax Relief
Families are feeling the pressure from higher prices on groceries, housing, utilities, and everyday necessities. Making life more affordable starts with respecting taxpayers and letting them keep more of what they earn. I will continue fighting waste, fraud, and abuse, reducing unnecessary spending, expanding property tax relief beyond seniors, and pursuing real tax cuts. Families balance their budgets—government should do the same.
Economic Development
As Chairman of the Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee, I have focused on making Missouri more competitive for investment and job creation. I want to keep cutting unnecessary regulations, encouraging private-sector growth, and bringing new businesses and good-paying jobs to our state and the 26th District.
I remain committed to protecting constitutional freedoms, supporting law enforcement, and defending the unborn. My goal is a government that lives within its means, respects the people it serves, and creates more opportunity for Missouri families.
What issues are most pressing for your constituency?
Residents throughout the 26th District are facing rising costs, higher property taxes, growing infrastructure demands, and concerns about decisions affecting their homes, neighborhoods, and individual freedoms.
Property Tax Relief: Rising property taxes continue to place a financial burden on homeowners, particularly seniors living on fixed incomes. I have sponsored senior property tax freeze legislation, but we must go further. I want to expand meaningful property tax relief to all Missourians, protecting taxpayers from excessive increases and allowing families to keep more of their hard-earned money.
Responsible Government Spending: Missouri families are feeling the pressures of inflation and higher everyday expenses. Government should be held to the same standards of fiscal responsibility as the taxpayers who fund it. We must eliminate wasteful spending, improve transparency, and prioritize essential services.
Economic Growth and Infrastructure: Our communities are growing, and we must ensure roads, infrastructure, and local services keep pace while attracting businesses and creating good-paying jobs. Growth should benefit existing residents, not place unnecessary financial burdens on them.
Local Control and Individual Liberties: Residents deserve a meaningful voice in major developments, including data centers. These projects should have local oversight and resident approval, and their energy demands should not raise utility rates for families. I also support banning Flock automated license plate reader cameras to protect residents' privacy and constitutional rights.
Public Safety and Education: Families deserve safe neighborhoods, strong schools, and a voice in their children's education. I will continue supporting law enforcement, parental rights, and educational opportunities.
My focus remains on protecting taxpayers, individual freedoms, and the interests of the people I represent.
