Michael L. Parson was sworn in as Missouri’s 57th governor on June 1, 2018, by Missouri Supreme Court Judge Mary R. Russell. He was reelected in November 2020 and sworn into a full term by Judge Sarah A. Castle at the 2021 Bicentennial Inauguration. Governor Parson came into the role of governor with a lifelong commitment to serving others and over 30 years of experience in public service.
Governor Parson has also led Missouri through several major crises, including historic droughts, flooding, tornadoes, civil unrest, and the recent COVID-19 pandemic. He and his administration have worked nonstop to take a balanced approach, fight the virus, and keep Missourians as safe as possible. Thanks to these efforts, Missouri has outperformed projections for both COVID-19 and the economy and continues to meet each challenge head on.
Governor Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson live in Bolivar. Together, they have two grown children and six grandchildren. He was raised on a farm in Hickory County and graduated from Wheatland High School in Wheatland, Missouri. He is a small business owner and a third-generation farmer who currently owns and operates a cow and calf operation near Bolivar.
