JEFFERSON CITY — Ryan Munro, the Libertarian candidate for Missouri attorney general, envisions a fresh approach to the role, aiming to shift its focus back to the needs of individual Missourians and small businesses.
Munro said his focus on transparency, accountability and accessibility offers a distinct alternative to the current officeholder, Republican Andrew Bailey, and his Democratic opponent, Elan Gross.
Munro's campaign is centered around three core principles: transparency, accessibility and accountability. He believes that the attorney general’s office should be open and approachable, allowing everyday Missourians direct access to the state's top legal officer.
Munro even suggests a personal touch by occasionally answering the office phone himself, a move designed to ensure he stays in tune with the concerns of citizens.
"The attorney general's office needs to be refocused on working for Missouri individuals and small businesses, protecting them from corporate outsiders and influences that infringe on their rights," Munro said in an interview with The St. Louis Record. He criticized the office’s recent history of being used as a springboard for political ambitions rather than serving the state’s residents.
Munro, who has experience running multiple businesses, does not advocate for a sweeping reorganization of the attorney general's office but plans to assess what is working and what isn’t, focusing on improving efficiency without unnecessary disruption.
While careful not to engage in a smear campaign, Munro is clear in his criticism of Bailey’s focus.
"I don't think the current attorney general has been focusing on Missouri individuals and Missouri small businesses," Munro said.
Munro said that Bailey has been more concerned with appealing to the far-right MAGA movement than addressing the specific needs of Missourians.
"I think that movement doesn't necessarily reflect Missourians," he added, noting that while Missouri is a conservative state, the attorney general’s job should not be about aligning with national political movements.
Munro identifies water rights as one of the biggest legal challenges Missouri may face in the coming years. He points to the state's rivers, which flow through multiple states, as a potential flashpoint for future legal battles over water property. Ensuring that Missouri's water rights are protected will be a top priority for him if elected.
Munro also said he is passionate about consumer protection, particularly safeguarding Missouri’s small businesses from what he describes as "parasitic influences" from outside the state. This focus on protecting local interests ties back to his core message of refocusing the attorney general’s office on the people of Missouri, rather than external political or corporate interests.
As a Libertarian, Munro noted the importance of limited government intervention in personal lives. He positions himself as a centrist, somewhat socially liberal in some respects but always advocating for less government interference.
"I don't want the attorney general coming in and saying, well, you're a pro-life state, but I'm going to be pro-choice and that's just who you got," he said. "That's not the role of the attorney general."
Munro’s philosophy on governance reflects a belief that government should stay in its lane, focusing on enforcing the laws rather than pushing a political agenda. He also strongly opposes the blending of religious influence with state affairs.
Munro strongly advocated for the need for more political parties in the U.S. political system. He argued that the two-party system fails to adequately represent the diverse views of Americans, including Missourians.
"We have three colors in our flag and only two colors in the ballot box," he said, pointing toward the disconnect between the country's political system and its people.
Munro has voted for candidates from a variety of parties in the past, demonstrating his belief that voters should prioritize the individual candidate over party affiliation. His own decision to run as a Libertarian stems from his commitment to giving voters more choices and ensuring that the attorney general’s office remains focused on the needs of the people, not political partisanship.
Beyond politics, Munro describes himself as a typical Missourian
"I've got pets, a wife and two kids, I'm just your average Joe," he said.
He sees himself as an average person who understands the everyday struggles of Missourians and is committed to ensuring that the attorney general's office works for them.