What is BOTG?

Tommy is going to be spending a full day and night in each of the 28 counties in Missouri’s 8th Congressional District over 28 straight days. He will also be accompanied by his dog, Chuck. The goal for putting “Boots on the Ground” is to not simply visit each county but to highlight both the challenges the district faces and listen to ideas from people across its 28 counties. Sowers will start in Washington County on Jan 20th and end in Phelps County on Feb 16th.

Sowers said, “In the military I learned firsthand that nothing replaces boots on the ground experience. This will not be a tour - tours are for tourists and typical politicians who merely want to come in, take a few pictures, then leave. Boots on the Ground is about working, living and listening to hardworking people in each and every county. Boots on the Ground will give me the chance to do what most of us hope other politicians would—close their mouths, and open their ears and eyes.”

In each county Sowers will highlight local industry and the diversity of businesses within the 8th district. “From wineries to heirloom seeds, from row crops to livestock, we have one of the most diverse agricultural districts in the nation. We have world class universities and innovative businesses. We also have extreme poverty in some places and examples that show how areas like Missouri’s 8th have been left behind. Boots on the Ground will help show a broad audience both the incredible opportunity and the incredible need of Southern Missouri,” said Sowers.