Eric Schmitt is a lifelong, sixth-generation Missourian whose public service has been built on a record of championing economic growth, private sector job creation, taxpayer advocacy and fiscal responsibility.
Beginning in 2008, Schmitt was elected twice to represent the state’s 15th Senate District as a Missouri Senator. As a State Senator, Eric was credited for his leadership as a next-generation conservative, bringing new energy and bold ideas to the forefront and seeking a new era of governance in which initiatives to create private sector jobs and restore fiscal responsibility replace the big government model that prevented growth and prosperity for Missourians.
Eric successfully passed legislation to eliminate the corporate franchise tax and authored two of the largest tax cuts in Missouri history. Eric’s reforms will reduce the personal income tax rate and allow all businesses to deduct 25% of their income. In 2016, Eric was elected as Missouri’s 46th State Treasurer.
As State Treasurer, Eric brought increased transparency to Missouri state government with Show-Me Checkbook that allows citizens to access information regarding the state’s revenue, expenditures and its overall fiscal activity. Eric also led efforts for benefits reform for Missouri’s pensions that will save taxpayers millions of dollars. He also revamped the MOST 529 education savings outreach efforts and set a national model for launching an ABLE program for Missourians with disabilities.
In 2019, after being appointed by Governor Mike Parson, Eric became Missouri’s 43rd Attorney General.
Eric’s roots in Missouri run deep, stretching through six generations of farmers, teachers and small businesspeople who have lived and worked in the Missouri cities of Tipton, Pilot Grove, Louisiana and St. Louis.
Eric’s grandfather served in World War II, serving in the 7th Army and saw major combat as an infantryman. After the war, he returned to Missouri to start a small butcher shop. Schmitt’s parents taught him the value of hard work and the importance of a quality education. His father worked at the family butcher shop and went to night school to earn a diploma. Eric watched his father work 7 days a week on the midnight shift to provide a better life for his family.
Growing up in a middle-class household, Eric was the first person in his family to go to college right out of high school. He graduated cum laude from Truman State University in Kirksville, and while at Truman founded a Habitat for Humanity Chapter on campus. He earned a scholarship to attend law school at Saint Louis University where he received his Juris Doctorate becoming the first person in his family to graduate from law school. Prior to his service in the State Senate, Schmitt served in local government as an Alderman for the city of Glendale.
Eric’s son, Stephen was born with a rare genetic condition causing tumors on his organs. He also has epilepsy, is on the autism spectrum and is non-verbal. Eric’s son was his inspiration to run for office to be a voice for people like him. One of Eric’s early legislative victories was taking on insurance companies by leading a bipartisan effort to ensure Missouri families are covered when they need it the most – including therapies for autism.
Schmitt and his wife Jaime have three children: Stephen, Sophia and Olivia. He has been an active member of community non-profits, including the Autism Society, Nurses for Newborns, Crisis Nursery and Habitat for Humanity.
