Conservative Champion: Dirk Deaton
Dirk Deaton is one of the most dependable conservative leaders in Missouri’s legislature.
Born and raised in McDonald County, Dirk’s roots run deep. His grandfather, Guy Deaton, moved up from Arkansas to build a business and a future in Southwest Missouri. Today, Dirk often wonders if Missouri is still the kind of place where a man like his grandfather would come to start a business, and that question drives his work in the Capitol.
McDonald County left its mark on Dirk from a young age. He had two parents in the home who worked hard and taught him to take care of what he had. Though he couldn’t always articulate it that way, these were conservative values he learned at a young age.
Now, he’s able to reflect where he comes from in Jefferson City.
His strong Christian faith guides him. Dirk has led a preaching ministry for decades, bringing the same conviction and clarity to the pulpit that he brings to the House floor. His faith isn’t a footnote; it’s the foundation of his public service.
Though he was originally drawn to politics at a national level, Dirk realized quickly that one person can do a lot more to move the needle at the state and local level.
Our state government has a much bigger impact on the day-to-day lives of most people than the federal government.
So, when he was the President of the McDonald County Republican Club and his local state representative seat was open, he decided to take action and run for office. “If not me, then who? If not now, then when?” he thought. The people of McDonald and Newton Counties put their faith in him and sent him to Jefferson City.
As a member of the Missouri House, Dirk has consistently fought to protect taxpayers, defend life, and safeguard the rights of parents and students. He doesn’t back down from a fight, and he doesn’t waste time with empty rhetoric.
Dirk Deaton played a key role in securing $50 million in general revenue funding for the MOScholars school choice scholarship program. It’s one of the biggest victories for educational freedom in Missouri history, and it happened because Dirk Deaton delivered.
It’s not just school choice. This year’s budget funded charter schools and public schools at record levels.
To Dirk, there is no bigger issue than education. As Thomas Jefferson said, “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, it expects what never was and never will be.”
Dirk has been a strong voice for budget sanity in Jefferson City, making sure our tax dollars are spent wisely or not at all. When it comes to bloated programs and government growth, Dirk pushes back with common sense and a calculator.
Dirk Deaton is the kind of Conservative that Missourians can count on, not just during campaign season but when it matters most: on the House floor.
That’s why we’re proud to recognize Rep. Dirk Deaton as a Conservative Champion.
We know that there are other champions like Dirk Deaton out there, but we can’t find them by ourselves. We need YOUR help.
Know a strong Conservative like Dirk Deaton? We want to know about them. We want to share their story. Nominate a CONSERVATIVE CHAMPION today!
Andy Bakker
Executive Director
Liberty Alliance USA