Good article in the Missourian by Evin Fritschle, Missourian Staff Writer

This past session, Nieves’ last because of term limits, saw his bills on state sovereignty pass both the House and Senate.

“It’s no secret that I’m not a fan of the Obama administration,” he said.

Nieves, who became majority whip as a freshman legislator, said being a member of House leadership for so long was one of his proudest accomplishments.

Nieves sat down with The Missourian at his state Senate campaign headquarters to look back on his time in office.

“I leave the House as the most tenured member of the leadership,” he said. “When I leave, there’s a pretty good chance that record will stand for some time.

“If I’m talking to my grandkids 30 years from now, I think I’d say the coolest thing (about serving in the House) was the honor bestowed by the people of this area to be in the House and the trust of the other members there to elevate me to a leadership role,” Nieves said.

Nieves said he never sponsored an earmark, even “when earmarks were considered cool,” and has enjoyed helping constituents with tangible problems.

“These types of things never make it on the 6 o’clock news, but they are the most rewarding,” he said.

Government officials often don’t answer directly to constituents enough, Nieves said.

Nieves also noted his constitutional amendment making English the official state language as a source of pride.

The current senatorial candidate said he hopes his replacement in the House is beholden to constituents and not any political establishment.

“The big thing is do not be lured or become enamored by the establishment,” he said. “You answer to the people. I’d like to see my replacement do an even better job than me of answering to the source of faith, the Constitution and the constituents.”

Looking Back

Term-limited out, Nieves reflected on what got him into politics in the first place.

“From the time I was a little boy, I remember feeling like I was always extremely patriotic,” the Navy veteran said.

“I joined the military right out of high school. I think it multiplied my natural patriotism,” Nieves said.

As a small business owner, Nieves said he became fed up with the taxes he paid and how he saw government being run.

“I got sick and tired of being sick and tired,” he said.

His wife, Julie, likely didn’t think he’d run for House, he said.

“She probably thought it was just another of those things I muttered to myself around the house,” he said.

Nieves has balanced his spiritual, political, family and business lives for nearly a decade.

“I knew one had to suffer, so we decided as a family for the business side to take the hit,” he said, noting his family makes less now than it did when he was a full-time businessman.

“My wife went back to work full time after 17 years as a stay-at-home mom,” Nieves said. “If I knew how crazy my life would be now eight years ago, I wouldn’t have (decided to run).”

Now, Nieves schedules his time carefully.

“When I block off family time, that’s concrete,” he said.

Nieves and wife Julie have three children, Alexandra, Moriah and Victor.

Nieves’ tenure has seen three governors, Bob Holden, Matt Blunt and the current governor, Jay Nixon.

“Holden was the worst to work with,” Nieves said. “Blunt was great from a policy standpoint.

“If I were to go to a ballgame with one of them, I’d go with Nixon. He’s very personable and smart, even though I don’t agree with his policies,” he said.