Becky Ruth, who has represented the 114th District in the Missouri House of Representatives for the past seven years, resigned that seat effective Nov. 30 and the next day started a new job as the director of the state Office of Child Advocate.
“I really like it,” she said of her new position. “It’s a little d ifferent from what I’ve been doing, but I’m always up for a challenge. But I’ve always advocated for children.
“I taught for 25 years, and I was an advocate for kids. When I was a state legislator, I was an advocate for kids. I’m happy to be able to continue to serve and be an advocate for kids.”
Gov. Mike Parson and Paul Wilson, chief justice of the Missouri Supreme Court, appointed Ruth to a six-year term to lead the Office of Child Advocate, which has a five-person staff.
“Becky Ruth was chosen for the position of Child Advocate because of her experience and passion for helping Missouri children and families,” a spokeswoman for Parson said.
“She successfully worked on and influenced many pieces of legislation in this field, and this opportunity allows her to continue this work in an enhanced capacity.”
Ruth, 57, of Festus said a lot of steps were completed before she was appointed to the new job.
“First, the governor and chief justice have to both agree on a person, and there’s a lot of paperwork, background checks and everything.”
Ruth succeeds Kelly Schultz, who worked for another three years after her six-year term expired before a new director was chosen.
Ruth said the office’s main function is to independently investigate cases involving complaints against the state’s Children’s Division.
She said the office routinely receives 800 to 900 complaints a year, but not all are investigated.
“There must have already been a case established with the Children’s Division first,” she said.
The office also mediates when there are allegations of child abuse in school settings, but Ruth said those cases are rare.
Ruth will be paid $67,500 a year in her new job.
State representatives and senators receive a $35,915 salary plus mileage and $115 per day in expenses for each day the General Assembly is in session.
Ruth, a Republican, was prohibited from running for a fifth two-year term as 114th District representative next year due to the state’s term limits standards.
She was considered a possible candidate for the District 22 seat in the Missouri Senate now held by Paul Wieland, who is similarly term-limited.
“I thought about it (running for the Senate), but when this opportunity was presented to me, my husband (Don) and I discussed it and prayed about it, and we concluded this was a good fit for me, to continue to serve,” she said. “It’s really a passion for me.”
She said for the time being, she will commute to Jefferson City, but they likely will look for a home closer to the state capitol in the spring.
114th seat now vacant
With Ruth’s seat in the state House now vacant, Parson could call for a special election to fill the seat for the next year, or the seat could be left vacant until the primary and general elections in August and November, respectively, to fill the two-year term that starts in January 2023.
Parson’s spokeswoman said the governor has not decided which course to take.
“In the meantime, the citizens of the 114th House district will still have representation from their state senator,” she said.
In 2018, when term-limited Republican John McCaherty resigned in the middle of his final term as District 97 representative, then-Gov. Eric Greitens ordered a special election in February 2018 to fill the seat.
Democrat Mike Revis won and served the rest of the year, but lost to Republican Mary Elizabeth Coleman for the full two-year term in the November 2018 general election.
Regardless of Parson’s decision, Ruth said residents of the district will not be left out in the cold.
“My assistant is still working there,” she said. “My constituents will still have their concerns taken care of. Anyone can still call or email the office.”
At least two people – Ken Waller of Herculaneum, the current Jefferson County clerk and former county executive and treasurer, and political newcomer Ann Moloney of Barnhart – have announced plans to file for the Republican Party’s nomination for Ruth’s House seat.
Legislative highlights
Ruth said she is proud of the work she did during her seven years in the House, including passing a bill that expanded required testing of newborn children for several relatively rare diseases.
“These diseases, like spinal muscular atrophy, are rare, but if you don’t find out about them right away, it’s a life-or-death situation,” she said. “Who knows how many lives this may have saved?
She said her work on transportation bills, including making port authorities more independent and working to pass an increase in the state’s gasoline tax to finance road and bridge improvements, also are highlights.
“Seeing the (plans approved for) expansion of I-55 to three lanes from Pevely to Festus, that’s something I’ve worked on for several years. I’m happy to see that come to fruition,” she said.
“I passed and saw 27 pieces of legislation signed into law, some of which helped small businesses. I’m proud of all of them.”