JEFFERSON CITY - Nearly 20 years ago, a split second changed Bob Pund's life forever. Now, he wants to bring the challenges he's faced to the State Capitol.
Bob Pund was paralyzed from the shoulders down at 20 years old after a roll over car accident. Since it happened, Pund has spent time advocating for people with disabilities to legislators. Now he wants to be a legislator. Pund announced his candidacy for Missouri's 25th District Monday on the MU campus. One of his main issues is health care, especially restoring the Medicaid cuts of 2005. But just because Pund is handicapped, he doesn't feel he's a "one-issue" candidate. He says education is also a priority to him because after his accident he realized his mind is what is most important. He believes the struggles he faces everyday makes him stand out from other candidates.
"I think that I have been tested in life and I am a forward thinking person. I have learned to better my own life even though I've had tremendous adversity, and I'm going to do the same thing for the State," said Pund.
Pund will run against fellow Democrat Sean Spence, who said he feels "one-issue" candidates can be healthy for the debate. But Spence thinks Pund will have a hard time winning because of his focus on one specific issue. Democrat Mary Wynne Still is also running as a Democrat. Still believes health care is an important issue for all the candidates in the 25th District race and has respect for Pund as a spokesperson for health care issues. However she says she has her own plans for reform, and will announce those at her kickoff campaign tonight at the Orr Street Gallery.
Ryan Ashbridge is the currently unopposed as the only Republican running, while the three Democrats will face off in the Missouri Primary August 5th.
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