Craig O'Dear Considers Senate Run

January 15, 2018

Craig O'Dear has announced an exploratory committee to consider a campaign for United States Senate as an independent candidate in the 2018 election. He would face incumbent Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill in November.

O'Dear, a Lewis County native and a 1975 Highland High School graduate, is a successful trial lawyer, as a Partner with Bryan Cave, LLP in Kansas City, Mo. He received his undergrad in engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology and his law degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law. He has been consistently recognized by industry publications and ratings as one of the top lawyers in America. He was a founding member of the firm's Kansas City office.

O'Dear has not forgotten his roots of growing up in a farming community and believes his hometown values are an asset to his campaign. He grew up on the family farm near Lewistown, Mo., and enjoys spending time there, returning as often as possible. He is the son of the late H.C. and Martha O'Dear. Craig and his wife Stephanie have three children and reside in Kansas City, Mo.

In a telephone interview on Jan. 11 with the Press-News Journal, O'Dear expressed a deep concern for the future of America and wants to be part of the solution to help with the many issues that America is facing. O'Dear said, β€œ While parts of the country are enjoying economic success we need to bring that vitality to small town America and especially to the hometowns of Missourians.”

For his decision to run as an independent, O'Dear said, β€œThe two-party political system no longer serves the people which results in gridlock and division and doesn't produce solutions to the problems facing the country.”

O'Dear said he is considering a Senate run because he believes he can make a difference and wants to serve his country.

A statement released by his exploratory committee says O'Dear is connected to a national movement called the Centrist Project, soon to be renamed Unite America. Unite America exists to support independent, centrist candidates running for office at all levels and has garnered national media attention for its efforts to bring the first ever slate of independent candidates together around unified principles.

He will have a listening tour throughout Missouri, in a town hall type setting of getting people together where he can talk with residents about their concerns and listen to what Missouri residents have to say. O'Dear said he looks forward to talking with fellow Missourians He will also share his ideas for a new way in American politics as an independent candidate. His campaign will be guided with five principles: 1) We put our country above party and the public interest ahead of any special interest; 2) We use common sense and find common ground to solve problems; 3) We stand for the timeless values of opportunity, equality, and stewardship; 4) We champion competition, transparency, and accountability in politics; 5) We believe in the shared responsibility of civic engagement.

Area meetings will be announced in this publication.

O'Dear said he would make a definite decision to run by the end of February and possibly as early as the end of January. If he runs, campaign headquarters would be in Kansas City, with satellite field offices located in St. Louis and other areas around Missouri.

More information can be found at the campaign website www.craigodear.com on Facebook http://facebook.com/odearformissouri or follow him on Twitter or Instagram @CSODear