Friends,
The State Freedom Caucus Network has grown rapidly over the last three years, so we thought it would be a good idea to introduce ourselves to all our new supporters and followers. If you missed our last five emails, we did a short Q&A with:
This week are two more of our amazing state directors representing Illinois (Collin Moseley) and Missouri (Tim Jones).
Two interesting facts about them - Collin plays three instruments - piano, guitar, and trumpet (which is 3 more instruments than I can play). Tim was a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) who responded to the World Trade Center bombing in 1993. Enjoy!
COLLIN MOSELEY
What is your role at SFCN? I serve as the Illinois State Director. My primary tasks include formulating policy analysis and communications strategies that assist in making conservative legislators as effective as possible.
Where are you from originally? Where do you live now? I am proud to live right where I was born and raised - Clay County, Illinois. I live in southeastern Illinois, about 45 minutes from the Indiana border, and 2 hours north of Kentucky.
Tell us about your family! And pets! Just north of my hometown of Flora is a town called Louisville, still in Clay County. These two communities share a lot of interests and families, and I certainly did my part by marrying a Louisville girl that I met at our home church, Red Brush Christian Church. My wife Caitlyn and I have been married just under two years, and we have a 1 year old son named Ryker. We are very fortunate that the vast majority of both our families live right here in Clay County, so we are never short on family time and babysitters when needed!
What's the best part of your job? There are many parts of my job that I really enjoy. I am a policy person through and through. While working on an occasional campaign is fun - my real passion is dissecting a bill, and in Illinois usually finding out just how horrible it is, and then writing comments for members to tear it to shreds on the floor and in committee. I especially enjoy when these efforts cause other Republicans to make the right vote, when they otherwise would have suffered from liquid spine syndrome.
How did you come to SFCN? What did you do before? One day during my 8th grade year I was able to serve as an honorary page on the house floor in Springfield, Illinois. It was on that day that I caught the bug for public service and legislation. Fast forward a few years, I was studying political science at the University of Illinois on their Springfield campus, and working in the House Clerk's office. I then finished my degree online while working for State Senator Darren Bailey as a legislative aide, and later as Deputy Communications Director on his run for Governor. During that run I was acquainted with many brave, conservative lawmakers who would eventually make up the Illinois Freedom Caucus.
Who or what most shaped your political philosophy/ideology? This answer is a two parter. My grandfather, Lee Ryker, has had a great deal of influence over my life. He was our elected County Sheriff for several terms, in the same jail that I serve part-time with. His philosophy as a public servant is and was " It's about the people." Serving and working for the betterment of your community and those around you is all he has ever cared about, and I thought that was a trait worth following.
Specific to politics: Former Senator Darren Bailey and I spent many nights in the car when I was fresh out of college traveling Illinois - he poured a lot of conservative values into me that I hold true to today. I still learn a lot from our Freedom Caucus members every day, too. For some "philosophy" - I am usually intrigued by the writings of Edmund Burke, Hamilton, and the likes. Adding historical context to today's political issues interests me.
Pick One To Answer: Favorite food? Favorite place to vacation? Favorite Book? Favorite Quote? Chicago Style Pizza with Pepperoni.
TIM JONES
What is your role at SFCN? I am the Network’s State Director for Missouri and the “Chief Cat Herder” of the Missouri Freedom Caucus. As a former Majority Leader, and Speaker of the Missouri House, I believe I bring a unique perspective and set of skills to the mission of helping the Missouri Freedom Caucus be the true North Star and conservative conscience of the General Assembly.
Where are you from originally? Where do you live now? I was born in Edina, Minnesota while my father and mother were stationed there in 1971. My father (now a retired veterinarian) was serving as a Captain in the US Army at the time so it was just happenstance that my two Missouri parents were temporarily farther north. We returned to the suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri in 1973. With the exception of the years of 1989-1998 when I largely lived in New York (Fordham University – 1993, St. John’s University School of Law – 1996, Assistant District Attorney, County of Nassau – 1997-1998), my home has been in and around the southwest St. Louis County suburb of Eureka, Missouri (the home of Six Flags!)
Tell us about your family! And pets! Married to my wonderful and incredibly patient wife, Suzanne, for nearly 23 years. We have two brilliant, fantastic daughters, Katie & Abby. Katie is a sophomore at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Abby is a sophomore in high school. We could not be more proud of them. We also have two entertaining cats, Jack & Oliver.
What's the best part of your job? As a former legislator, Majority Leader, and Speaker, I am thrilled, every day, to be working with an incredibly talented and motivated group of hard charging, brilliant, and hard working true conservatives and public servants. I consider it the highest and most important of responsibilities to do all I am able to share my nearly two decades of experience and knowledge working in and around politics and public policy with the members of the MOFC. When they succeed, our state, and yes, even our nation, succeeds. It is a weighty and humbling experience that I do not take lightly. It is definitely challenging, but it is also exhilarating, and often times, even fun.
How did you come to SFCN? What did you do before? A long and winding road has brought me to the SFCN. I practiced law for nearly two decades, served as President of the Board of Aldermen on my town’s City Council, and then as a State Legislator. I have been on the “private sector side” of politics and public policy for over a decade now, working in the media and communications world (predominantly radio where I now run an evening drive show), and government affairs, almost entirely in the “freedom and liberty” space.
Who or what most shaped your political philosophy/ideology? I work hard to be grounded in my faith (Roman Catholic) and my family, and I consider myself a student and disciple of Thomas Jefferson, Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, & Winston Churchill. Never give up.
*Pick One To Answer*: Favorite food? Favorite place to vacation? Favorite Book? Favorite Quote. “I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man”. – Thomas Jefferson
Keep fighting,
Andrew Roth
President
State Freedom Caucus Network
P.S. Your help is critical in building out a network of patriots and freedom fighters throughout our nation’s state capitols and in your home state. Please consider a contribution and join us as we work to advance the cause of liberty.