Stephen Webber

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For other uses, see Stephen Webber (disambiguation).
Stephen Webber
Member of the Missouri House of Representatives
from the 23rd district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 7, 2009
Preceded by Jeff Harris
Personal details
Born (1983-06-08) June 8, 1983
Morgantown, West Virginia
Political party Democratic
Residence Columbia, Missouri
Alma mater Saint Louis University
Profession Soldier
Congressional staffer
Military service
Service/branch United States Marine Corps
Years of service 2004, 2007
Rank Corporal
Battles/wars Iraq War

Stephen Webber (born June 8, 1983) is a Democratic member of the Missouri House of Representatives, representing the 23rd District. Before taking office, Webber served two tours of duty in Iraq with the United States Marine Corps. He resides in Columbia.

Personal life

Background and education

Webber graduated from Columbia's Hickman High School in 2001.[1] He received his bachelor's degree in economics from Saint Louis University in 2006.[2]

Career

Webber has served two tours of duty in Iraq with the United States Marine Corps.[3][4] His first tour, which began in 2004 and lasted 15 months, found him stationed outside the now-infamous Abu Graib prison. In 2007, he returned to Iraq, this time to Fallujah, as a squad leader of 12 other Marines.[2][5]

After returning from Iraq, he worked as an aide to Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) in Washington, D.C.[2]

Elected office

Election to State House

Democratic primary

On February 19, 2008, Webber announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination to replace Representative Jeff Harris as the member for the 23rd District in the Missouri House of Representatives.[5] Harris, a Democrat, had previously announced he would not run for reelection in order to run for attorney general of Missouri.[6]

Webber defeated opponent Cande Iveson in the August 5, 2008 Democratic primary election, with 3,391 votes to her 1,735,[7] or 66.2 percent to 33.8 percent of the vote.[8]

During the primary campaign, the Columbia Daily Tribune reported that Webber had received a number of "high-powered endorsements" from "education groups, labor unions and a bevy of Columbia political figures"[9] including former Missouri Governor Roger B. Wilson.[8] and local democratic booster Bruce Wilson.

General election

Webber ran unopposed in the November 4th, 2008 general election,[10][11] winning 100% of the vote[12] and making him the youngest representative in the state.[13]

First term in office

Upon election, Webber and fellow incoming representatives Mary Still and Chris Kelly announced a number of legislative initiatives, vowing to increase funding for the University of Missouri,[14] add "robo-calls" to Missouri’s No Call List,[15] increase state restrictions on short-term or "payday" loans,[16] and change Missouri election law to allow early voting.[17]

During his first term as representative, Webber sat on the Rules Committee, a Special Standing Committee on Workforce Development and Workplace Safety, and the Homeland Security Committee.[18][19]

Re-election

On November 2, 2010, Webber was re-elected to the Missouri House, defeating Republican candidate Paul S. Szopa 68% to 32%.[20]

Electoral history

2008 General Election for Missouri’s 23rd District House of Representatives[21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Stephen Webber 16,862 100.00
Republican none 0 0.00
2010 General Election for Missouri’s 23rd District House of Representatives[22]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Stephen Webber 9,370 67.99
Republican Paul S. Szopa 4,411 32.01

References

  1. ↑ "Military Notes". Columbia Daily Tribune. April 27, 2003. Retrieved 2008-07-06. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Barker, Jacob (July 28, 2008). "Primary primer: Webber, although young, touts his wealth of life experience". Columbia Missourian. Retrieved 2008-07-06. 
  3. ↑ Keller, Rudi (October 24, 2008). "Federal programs ease voting for those serving in military overseas". Southeast Missourian. Retrieved 2008-07-06. 
  4. ↑ Greaney, T.J. (September 2, 2008). "An outpouring of support". Columbia Daily Tribune. Retrieved 2008-07-06. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Rosenbaum, Jason (February 20, 2008). "Local Marine to run for seat in state House". Columbia Daily Tribune. Retrieved 2008-07-06. 
  6. ↑ Rosenbaum, Jason (June 22, 2008). "Some area lawmakers are bound to change in this fall’s elections". Columbia Daily Tribune. Retrieved 2008-07-06. 
  7. ↑ Barker, Jacob (August 6, 2008). "Webber, Still win Democratic nods for state House seats". Columbia Missourian. Retrieved 2008-07-05. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Rosenbaum, Jason (August 6, 2008). "Webber easily wins 23rd seat". Columbia Daily Tribune. Retrieved 2008-07-06. 
  9. ↑ Rosenbaum, Jason (July 23, 2008). "War vet gets high-level support". Columbia Daily Tribune. Retrieved 2008-07-06. 
  10. ↑ Heavin, Janese (October 30, 2008). "Students get taste of politics". Columbia Daily Tribune. Retrieved 2008-07-06. 
  11. ↑ Dieterich, Chris (November 5, 2008). "Unopposed 23rd District candidate keeps busy on Election Day". Columbia Missourian. Retrieved 2008-07-06. 
  12. ↑ "Summary Report - Boone County, Missouri". Boone County Clerk's Office. November 4, 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-06. 
  13. ↑ Aldrich, Dick (December 22, 2008). "Youngest Lawmaker Prepares for First Session". Missouri House of Representatives . Retrieved 2008-07-06. 
  14. ↑ Slavit, Mark (November 20, 2008). "Freshmen legislators want more university funding". Connect Mid-Missouri. Retrieved 2008-07-06. 
  15. ↑ Heavin, Janese (December 1, 2008). "Bill would cap payday loan rates". Columbia Daily Tribune. Retrieved 2008-07-06. 
  16. ↑ Tsukayama, Haley (December 3, 2008). "Proposed legislation to restrict payday loans". Columbia Missourian. Retrieved 2008-07-06. 
  17. ↑ Waters, Henry J. III (November 13, 2008). "Early voting". Columbia Missourian. Retrieved 2008-07-06. 
  18. ↑ "Representative Stephen Webber". Missouri House of Representatives (http://house.mo.gov). Retrieved 2009-07-05. 
  19. ↑ Denney, Andrew (January 19, 2009). "Columbia representatives find their committee assignments". The Maneater. Retrieved 2009-07-06. 
  20. ↑ "Boone County Clerk 2010 Election Results". Boone County Clerk. November 2, 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-06. 
  21. ↑ Boone County Election Archives-November 4, 2008 General Election-District 23-Retrieved July 6, 2009
  22. ↑ Boone County Election Archives-November 2, 2010 General Election-District 23-Retrieved November 6, 2010

External links

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