Mike Parson’s governorship in Missouri was marked by key moments that reveal his leadership style and challenges faced during his tenure
Jefferson City: Mike Parson wrapped up his six-year run as Missouri’s governor on Monday. Two moments really stand out from his time in office.
The first was during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Parson chose not to impose strict statewide health orders, leaving it up to local leaders. This decision drew criticism from both Republicans and health experts who wanted a stronger state response. Frustrated, he once told critics to stop watching his briefings.
Then, he quoted Theodore Roosevelt’s “The Man in the Arena,” a habit he had when feeling under fire. Eventually, he did issue a stay-at-home order, but it was pretty lenient.
The second moment came when a reporter pointed out that Social Security numbers of teachers were exposed due to a flaw on a state website. Instead of thanking the reporter for the heads-up, Parson called him a “hacker” and demanded criminal charges, even after the claim was proven false.
These moments show a lot about Parson. He seemed to enjoy the spotlight of being governor but often shied away from the tough decisions. He didn’t dive deep into legislative matters, leaving that to lawmakers while he took a backseat on major policies.
He loved being a Chiefs fan and attending Super Bowls but got defensive when questioned about using donor-funded private planes. He advocated for masks and social distancing during the pandemic but felt personally attacked when his State of the State address was canceled due to COVID concerns.
Parson came into office promising stability after his predecessor’s scandals. While he did provide some calm, his administration often felt more like a caretaker role, with moments of defensiveness rather than strong leadership.
In tough situations, he often chose to confront the messenger instead of the issue, showing a reluctance to deal with the hard parts of being governor.
