Beverage distributor announces state Senate bid

Heart of America Beverage Co. co-owner Brian Gelner announced his bid for the Missouri Senate.

Gelner is seeking the 20th District seat currently held by Sen. Eric Burlison, according to a news release. Burlison earlier this year signaled his candidacy for the U.S. congressional seat held by Rep. Billy Long, R-Missouri, who is running for the retiring Roy Blunt's Senate position.

A self-described constitutional conservative, Gelner is running on a platform of keeping taxes low, supporting public safety, and maintaining a limited and local government.

“I’m worried about the direction of our country today, and I’m tired of career politicians who care more about special interests and advancing their own political ambitions than they do about the next generation," Gelner said in the release. "To solve the problems we face, we need citizen legislators – not career politicians – who take time away from their everyday lives and careers, to serve their community and state.

"I am running for state Senate as a dad who wants to make sure my kids inherit a safer and stronger country, and as a small businessman with real-world experience and common-sense, conservative principles.”

Gelner has registered his campaign for the Aug. 2, 2022, primary election with the Missouri Ethics Commission. His campaign has not yet submitted financial records.

Others in the running for the 20th District Senate seat are Rep. Curtis Trent, R-Springfield, and Rep. Jered Taylor, R-Republic, according to past reporting and MEC records.