Former Festus School District teacher Becky Ruth has announced she will make another run for the 114th District seat in the state House of Representatives when it is up for election in 2014.
Ruth, a Republican from Festus, lost to the current holder of the seat, T.J. McKenna, in 2012 in a tight race. McKenna won the seat by a count of 7,770 votes (50.2 percent) to 7,687 votes (49.66 percent).
McKenna has not yet publically announced whether he intends to run for re-election.
Ruth, 48, Festus, said she is optimistic about her chances no matter who her opponents turn out to be in the Aug. 5, 2014, Republican primary and, if successful in that, in the Nov. 4, 2014, general election.
“I feel confident about winning the election this time,” she said.
Ruth said she has a strong desire for public service. She has never held public elected office, but was president of the Missouri State Teachers Association 2008-2009 and an officer in the organization from 2006-2010.
“I want to run for state representative because I have a heart for serving the people of our community and believe they deserve a strong voice in Jefferson City,” she said.
Ruth, a real estate agent with ReMax Best Choice in Festus, and her husband, Don, have three children and three grandchildren.
She said promoting economic growth and bringing jobs to the county are her priorities, particularly through Jefferson County port development.
“I fully support the Jefferson County port project and will work diligently on the local and state level to make sure it receives the funding to become completely operational,” Ruth said.
Salary for a Missouri state representative is $35,915 per year, a weekly allowance for miles traveled going to and returning from their place of meeting and expenses for each day the General Assembly is in session.
The 114th House district takes in southeast-central Jefferson County.