Two candidates are vying to fill a vacant seat in the Missouri House of Representatives in the Nov. 8 general election.
Republican Ken Waller and Democrat Jessie Shepherd are seeking to fill the District 114 seat that has been open since Becky Ruth resigned in November 2021 in the middle of her fourth two-year term when she was appointed director of the state Office of Child Advocate. She could not have run for a fifth House term because of the state’s term limit standards.
Waller is the current Jefferson County clerk and also has served as the county executive and treasurer. He defeated Ann Moloney in the August primary election.
Shepherd, a political newcomer, ran unopposed in the Democratic primary election.
State senators and representatives currently receive a $37,711 salary, plus mileage and a per-diem payment for expenses for each day the General Assembly is in session.
WALLER, 60, of Herculaneum is completing his first term as Jefferson County Clerk. He and his wife, Trina, have three children and a granddaughter. A 1980 graduate of Festus High School, he received an associate degree in business administration from Jefferson College in 1983 and a bachelor’s degree in public administration from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 1985.
Website/social media: Facebook: Ken Waller for State Rep
SHEPHERD, 42, of Herculaneum works in disability support and advocacy and is married to John Barnes. She has two stepdaughters. A 2016 graduate of St. Louis Community College, she has an associate degree in deaf communication studies.
Website/social media: Website: shepherdformo.com Facebook, Twitter, TikTok: @shepherdformo
What experience do you have (elected office, civic organizations, volunteer work, etc.) that might serve you well in this position?
Waller: I have been the Jefferson County clerk and election authority since 2019. Before that, I served two terms as the county’s first county executive (2011-2018) and four years as county treasurer (2005-2008).
Shepherd: As a first-time candidate, I’m passionate about our community. I currently serve on the Herculaneum Park Board, Jefferson County Democratic Central Committee and have volunteered with the League of Women Voters. My career experience in disability supports has taught me to listen to individuals to identify their needs, find solutions to challenges and eliminate barriers to living their best lives, all skills that will translate well to constituent services.
What specific needs exist in your district, and how would you address them?
Waller: Job creation, infrastructure improvements, expanding the port areas along the Mississippi River, additional economic development, retail expansion, cutting regulations on the small business owner that makes it hard for them to succeed, and common-sense funding for our roads and bridges.
Shepherd: Many people living in District 114 experience underemployment and lack access to affordable health care. I’ll propose policies that properly fund our public schools, create post-secondary education opportunities, including trade schools, to attract stable, full-time jobs in Jefferson County. When our friends and neighbors are able to work one job with employer-sponsored health insurance, they won’t need to piece together two or three part-time jobs to make ends meet. Workers’ rights are vital and allow everyone in our community to thrive.
According to recent polls, the majority of Americans want stricter gun laws. Do you support gun law reforms, and if so what changes do you support? For example, do you support raising age limits to buy guns, more stringent background checks, requiring waiting periods when buying guns, prohibiting types of guns, ammunition clips or ammunition?
Waller: I will not support any legislation that violates a resident’s Second Amendment rights
Shepherd: We all share a common desire to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals. In Missouri, those convicted of a domestic violence assault are prohibited purchasers only if the crime was a felony. Many violent assaults are pled down to misdemeanor assaults, which do not carry a prohibition, so domestic abusers with a known history of violence are allowed continued access to guns. Additionally, loopholes in our background check system allow dangerous individuals access to firearms through purchases from non-federal firearms licensed dealers at gun shows, online forums, friend and family purchases and gifts.
A majority of voters, both in Missouri and nationwide, say they favor abortion rights in some instances. In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, what changes should the state government enact, if any, concerning abortion rights?
Waller: I am glad that the states can make this decision now instead of the federal government. If elected to the legislature, I will continue to guarantee that Missouri remains on the leading edge of protecting life.
Shepherd: Under the current law, abortion is illegal except for medical emergencies. I cannot support policy in which children who become pregnant after a sexual assault are forced to carry a pregnancy to term. Recent polling from St. Louis University reveals 75 percent of Missourians believe the law should at least allow exceptions for rape and incest. Many abortions are pregnancies which were wanted but the fetus has been found to be incompatible with life. I trust women and their doctors to make these difficult, personal decisions without interference from the government. I will fiercely defend your freedom to choose.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Waller: My 16 years in county government and 20 years as a small business owner make me uniquely qualified for this position. I have spent a lot of time in Jefferson City in my county positions and would feel very comfortable as a state representative. My goals are economic development, making sure we continue to have safe and secure elections statewide, to decrease government spending and continue infrastructure improvements in the district. Finally, I would continue to guarantee that Missouri remains on the leading edge of protecting life.
Shepherd: My passion for helping others motivated me to become involved in politics. Beyond my current career, my diverse work experience includes food service, retail, warehouse labor and sales. This gives me a wide perspective on many different walks of life. As a third-generation Jefferson Countian, I am driven to make our county the best it can be. I truly believe we can make positive change by giving everyone a voice in our legislation. I care about listening to all constituents and having meaningful conversations. That’s how we overcome challenges together – as a community.