Justin Sparks has devoted his life to public service, although he never expected to find himself representing his St. Louis community in the Missouri House of Representatives.

After spending his entire professional career in law enforcement, the St. Louis native felt a calling from the Lord and a desire to making a bigger impact. Last November, Sparks ran for office to represent District 110, which covers western St. Louis.

Since taking office in January, he's emerged as a leader on top conservative priorities like reducing crime and fighting radical gender ideology. Sparks, a husband and father of six, spoke to The Daily Signal about the policy debates playing out in Missouri and why he encourages other Americans to get involved. Listen to the interview on "The Daily Signal Podcast" or read a lightly edited transcript below.

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INTERVIEW | From SWAT Team to Statehouse: Missouri Lawmaker Feels a Calling to Serve