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Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has been widely recognized for his leadership and accomplishments as a public servant and in private enterprise.

Elected in 2002, Governor Romney has presided over a dramatic reversal of state fortunes and a period of sustained economic expansion. Without raising taxes or increasing debt, Governor Romney has balanced the budget every year of his administration, closing a $3 billion budget gap inherited when he took office. By eliminating waste, streamlining the government, and enacting comprehensive economic reforms to stimulate growth in Massachusetts, Romney got the economy moving again and transformed deficits into surpluses.

At the beginning of Governor Romney's term, Massachusetts was losing thousands of jobs every month. Today, the unemployment rate is lower, hundreds of companies have expanded or moved to Massachusetts and the state has added approximately 60,000 jobs in the last two years.

One of Governor Romney's top priorities was reforming the education system so that young people could compete for good paying jobs in the global economy of the future. In 2004, Governor Romney established the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship Program to reward the top 25 percent of Massachusetts high school students with a four-year, tuition-free scholarship to any Massachusetts public university or college. He has also championed a package of education reforms, including merit pay, an emphasis on math and science instruction, important new intervention programs for failing schools and English immersion for foreign-speaking students.

In 2006, Governor Romney proposed and signed into law a private, market-based reform that ensures every Massachusetts citizen will have health insurance, without a government takeover and without raising taxes.

Governor Romney was elected to the Chairmanship of the Republican Governors Association by his fellow Governors for the 2006 election cycle, and raised a record $27 million for candidates running in State House contests around the country.

Romney first gained national recognition for his role in turning around the 2002 Winter Olympics. With the 2002 Games mired in controversy and facing a financial crisis, Romney left behind a successful career as an entrepreneur to take over as President and CEO of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee.

Governor Romney has said he felt compelled to assume the seemingly impossible task of rescuing the Games by both the urgings of his wife, Ann, and by the memory of his father, George Romney, who had been a successful businessman, three-term Governor of Michigan, and a tireless advocate of volunteerism in America.

In his three years at the helm in Salt Lake, Romney erased a $379 million operating deficit, organized 23,000 volunteers, galvanized community spirit and oversaw an unprecedented security mobilization just months after the September 11th attacks, leading to one of the most successful Olympics in our country's history.

Prior to his Olympic service, Romney enjoyed a successful career helping businesses grow and improve their operations. From 1978 to 1984, Mr. Romney was a Vice President at Bain & Company, Inc., a leading management consulting firm. Following a period of decline after Romney's departure, he returned as CEO several years later and engineered a complete recovery. Today, Bain & Company employs more than 2,000 people in 25 offices worldwide.

In 1984, Romney founded Bain Capital, one of the nation's most successful venture capital and investment companies. Bain Capital helped launch hundreds of companies on a successful course, including Staples, Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Domino's Pizza, Sealy, Brookstone, and The Sports Authority.

Governor Romney has been deeply involved in community and civic affairs, serving extensively in his church and numerous charities including City Year, the Boy Scouts, and the Points of Light Foundation. He was also the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in 1994.

Governor Romney received his B.A., with Highest Honors, from Brigham Young University in 1971. In 1975, he was awarded an MBA from Harvard Business School, where he was named a Baker Scholar, and a J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School. X Collapse Bio

"Serving Missouri has been my life's work. I have walked the land, fished its rivers and been humbled by the honesty and hard work of our people. The highest honor is to receive and safeguard the public trust" - Kit Bond.

Christopher S. "Kit" Bond is a sixth generation Missourian, born in St. Louis in 1939. He grew up in Mexico, MO, where he still resides and tends to several groves of treeshe planted by hand.

Bond graduated from Princeton University in 1960 and received his law degree from the University of Virginia, having graduated first in his class.

After serving as a clerk to the Chief Judge of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta, Bond practiced law in Washington, D.C. before returning home to Missouri.
In 1969, Bond became an Assistant Attorney General under former Senator John Danforth. Before being elected State Auditor in 1970, Bond was chief counsel of Missouri's Consumer Protection Division.

At age 33, Kit Bond became the 47th Governor of the State of Missouri on January 8, 1973 - the youngest Governor the state has ever had.

Bond was re-elected to a second term as Governor in 1980. Among his greatest accomplishments as Governor was to take the Parents as Teachers program statewide.

After his second successful term as Governor, Bond continued his service to Missouri from his newly won seat in the United States Senate. In that 1986 election year, Bond was the only Republican to capture a seat previously held by a Democrat.

Based upon his solid ability to protect and advance Missouri's interests in the United States Senate, Bond was returned by Missouri voters to the U.S. Senate in 1992,1998, and again in 2004.

While serving in the U.S. Senate, Bond has built a reputation as a strong supporter of responsible budgeting and accountability in education and government programs.

Bond has fought for economic security by protecting jobs from being driven abroad by overreaching regulations, ensuring that the weapons systems defending our soldiers continue to be built by Missouri's fine engineering and production work force, and working to make Missouri the premier plant biotechnology and life sciences corridor in the country.

Bond has fought for the health and safety of his constituents by winning funds to expand Community Health Centers, protecting access to cancer care, improving nursing home care and providing Missouri sheriffs the resources they need to fight methamphetamine.

Bond has also fought for Missouri's fair share of money to improve roads and highways. As the chairman of the subcommittee responsible for writing federal highway legislation, Bond used his clout to bring $1.3 billion in new federal highway funds to Missouri in the most recent transportation bill.

A strong supporter of law enforcement and a strong U.S. military, Bond also serves on the Senate Select Intelligence Committee. And he is the chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the nation's housing and transportation needs.

Bond is married to Linda Bond. His son, Sam Bond, is a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. X Collapse Bio

On November 7, 2000, Todd was elected to the United States House of Representatives to serve the Second District of Missouri. His election to Congress marks a continuation of his service to the Nation and the St. Louis area.

Todd is a graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he earned a B.S. in Management Engineering. After graduation, he served as an officer in the U.S. Army with the Army Combat Engineers at Fort Belvoir in Alexandria, Virginia. He received an honorable discharge from the Army Reserves in 1980. Upon completing his active duty in the Army, Todd spent four years with IBM, where he met his wife Lulli. He later moved into corporate management at Laclede Steel.

An avid student of the U.S. Constitution, Todd was appointed by Governor Ashcroft to the Bicentennial Commission of the U.S. Constitution in 1987. In 1988, Todd ran and won a seat in the Missouri House of Representatives. He served twelve years as a Republican State Representative and the ranking Republican on the powerful Ways and Means Committee. While serving in the Missouri House, Todd drafted legislation on Roth IRAs and a tax limitation amendment currently in the Missouri Constitution. He also took a leading role in opposing gambling, resulting in more rigorous enforcement of gambling laws and regulations.

As a U.S. Congressman, Todd serves on three committees: Armed Services, Science, and Small Business. As a Member of Congress, he is committed to promoting the principles of our Founders, the free enterprise system and the traditional values of the American family. Todd has also taken a leading role in issues related to national security and international affairs.

At the beginning of the 109th Congress, Todd was named Chairman of the Small Business Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform and Oversight. In this important leadership role, Todd will be working to reduce regulations that impede the growth of the economy in Missouri and throughout the nation.
Todd has played a central role in advancing projects essential to the St. Louis region and the State of Missouri. These include efforts to better fund vital transportation and infrastructure improvements and working with local businesses and corporations to strengthen the economy and create jobs for Missourians.

In the 107th Congress, Todd was joined by U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello (D-IL) in offering the Clean Coal Initiative amendment to the Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE) Act. The Amendment authorized an extensive program for clean coal research and development at the Department of Energy and included provisions for public-private partnerships to upgrade existing coal-fired power plants in accordance with current clean coal technology.

Today, Todd continues to write and lecture on the principles of America's Founding and Heritage. He is active in the Boy Scouts for America, a leader in his church, a former board member of Missouri Right to Life, and sits on the board of the Mission Gate Prison Ministry.

Todd and Lulli have six children: Wynn, Perry, Micah, Ezra, Hannah, and Abigail. Todd and Lulli will be celebrating their 31st wedding anniversary this summer. Todd commutes from St. Louis to Washington every week to be with his family and to meet with constituents, business leaders and other elected officials throughout the greater St. Louis community. X Collapse Bio

Congressman Sam Graves is a life long resident of Missouri's 6th Congressional District. As a small businessman and a sixth-generation, full-time, family farmer, Sam has spent his life working to make Missouri a better place to live, work, and raise a family.

In Congress, Sam serves on the Agriculture, Small Business, and Transportation Committees where he continues the fight for the most significant interests of the Sixth District. Sam also is a member of House Leadership as Deputy Whip and is Chairman of the Small Business Subcommittee on Rural Enterprises, Agriculture, and Technology.

Congressman Graves was born in Tarkio, Missouri, November 7, 1963. He graduated from Tarkio High School in 1982 and attended college at the University of Missouri-Columbia where he received his degree in Agronomy from the School of Agriculture.

While attending the University, Sam met his wife, Lesley. Upon graduation, Lesley and Sam married and moved back to Tarkio. Lesley teaches kindergarten at Tarkio Elementary. They have three children, Megan, Trey, and Emily. Sam is an active member of his community and enjoys flying his 1947 Piper Cub airplane for fun.

In 1992, Sam won his first race for State Representative. In 1994, Sam was elected as State Senator for the 12th Senatorial District and subsequently re-elected in 1998. Sam's leadership has not only been recognized by his constituents, but from organizations like the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Development Corporation, and the Missouri State Medical Association.

As a father, farmer, businessman, and former State legislator, Sam knows first hand the values, hopes, and beliefs of the hard-working families of the Sixth District and will continue to work tirelessly for them in the United States House of Representatives. As your Congressman, Sam is dedicated to our national security as well as your personal financial security. Sam will continue to fight to fully fund our military, lower taxes, stabilize Social Security for our seniors, and provide more local control of funding for our schools. X Collapse Bio

House Majority Whip Roy Blunt came to the United States House of Representatives in 1997 with a background as a public servant, university president and administrator. 

Blunt, who became Majority Whip earlier in his career than any Member of Congress in the last seven decades, was reelected to a second term as Whip in November 2004.  As Whip, the third highest job in the House, Congressman Blunt is responsible for corralling the votes necessary to complete the Republican agenda.  He selects and leads a team of Deputy and Assistant Whips, which columnist Robert Novak has described as “the most efficient party whip operation in congressional history.”

The people of Southwest Missouri have sent Blunt to Washington to represent them five times, returning him to Congress with more than 70% of the vote against three opponents in 2004.

A leader in the fight against methamphetamines in America’s communities, Blunt sponsored the Combat Meth Act, which President Bush signed into law in March 2006.  The law is the first comprehensive approach to fighting and winning the war on meth.  Designed to provide more resources to law enforcement, the legislation also expand the abilities of local prosecutors, enhances treatment options, and limits the availability of large quantities of the household items used to make meth.

Blunt fought for President Bush’s $1.35 trillion tax cut, working twenty-nine hours through the night to reach agreement on the largest tax cut in a generation.  Continuing his focus on tax fairness, Blunt worked to enact four major tax relief packages in the four years of President Bush’s first term, putting more money in the hands of the people who earned it and helping the economy rebound from a recession and the September 11th attacks. Blunt’s legislation to enhance transparency in the federal budget process by establishing a searchable database of federal grants and contracts is now law.  The bipartisan plan will be implemented by the Office of Management and Budget and will give citizens and the media unprecedented access to the way tax dollars are spent.

Blunt is the principle sponsor of the Charitable Giving Act, legislation designed to encourage more Americans to help more charities.  The legislation, portions of which were signed into law by President Bush, provides incentives for individuals to make contributions to charity from their Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and in other areas, including food and educational material.

Blunt served on then-Governor George W. Bush’s original ten person exploratory committee and as the liaison between the House and the Bush campaign.  When Blunt was named Missouri’s Republican of the Year in 2000, President Bush described him as “a leader who knows how to raise his sights and lower his voice.”
Blunt, elected chief election official for two presidential elections, was the first Republican Secretary of State in more than 50 years.  Before coming to Congress, Blunt served four years as the president of his alma mater, Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri. 

Blunt serves on the House Committee on Energy & Commerce.

The Congressman is married to Abigail Blunt.  Blunt has four children: Missouri Governor Matt Blunt; Amy Blunt, an attorney in Kansas City, Missouri; Andy Blunt, an attorney in Jefferson City, Missouri; and Charlie, who lives with his mom and dad.  Blunt has five grandchildren: Davis Mosby, Ben Blunt, Branch Blunt, Eva Mosby, and Allyson Blunt. X Collapse Bio

U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson was raised to put people before politics, and during her five terms in the House of Representatives she has done just that. She is the first Republican woman to represent Missouri in Congress, where she is a leading advocate for farm families and the promotion of America’s agriculture, hunger relief, pro-life issues, and access to safe, affordable prescription drugs.

Jo Ann represents the 28 counties of Southern Missouri’s agriculturally diverse Eighth District, from the Mississippi River valley, through the Bootheel flatlands, and to the timberlands and clear streams of the Ozarks. Agricultural products including cotton, corn, rice, grapes, trout, forest products, and livestock are produced there. Over 90% of America's lead production is located in the Eighth District. Each August, Jo Ann conducts a Farm Tour to visit the wide variety of farms, laboratories, forests, and ranches in Missouri’s Eighth District.

As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Jo Ann sits on the Agriculture, Homeland Security, and Energy and Water Development Subcommittees. She believes her extensive involvement in rural farm issues, national defense, and flood control enables her to serve her constituents to the best of her abilities.

After earning a B.A. in political science from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1972, Jo Ann pursued an active career in public affairs and grassroots communications. In her professional career, Jo Ann has served as the Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for the American Insurance Association, as Director of State Relations and Grassroots Programs for the small-business oriented National Restaurant Association, and as Deputy Communications Director for the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Currently, Jo Ann serves as vice-chair of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s subcommittee on Democratic Governance. In the U.S. House of Representative, Jo Ann serves as vice-chair of the Center Aisle Caucus, a bipartisan group committed to working across party lines. She is also an Honorary and Life Trustee of Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. A former Girl Scout, Jo Ann is a leading supporter of the organization in Congress. She is co-chair of the Board of Directors for the Congressional Hunger Center and a member of the board of Bread for the World, two of the nation’s leading hunger relief organizations. Jo Ann is also a founding member of the Bipartisan Congressional Retreat, whose mission is to foster better relations in Congress with Members from each party. She was recognized as one of the American Bus Association’s 2005 Legislators of the Year and earned the 2005 Committed Statesperson Award from the National MS Society. Each Thursday morning when Congress is in session, Jo Ann attends the Congressional Prayer Group, of which she has served as President. In February of 2005, Jo Ann chaired the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington.

As a wife, mother, and grandmother, family is the foremost priority in Jo Ann’s life. She is married to Ron Gladney, an attorney, and is the proud mother of two daughters, Victoria and Katharine, five stepdaughters, Elizabeth Emerson Leger and Abigail Emerson Gilhooley, and Alison, Jessica and Stephanie Gladney, and one stepson, Sam Gladney. Most recently, Jo Ann is the proud grandmother of Cooper O’Brien Leger, Margaret Browning Gilhooley and Curt William Leger. She lives in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. X Collapse Bio

Elected to Congress in 1996, Kenny Hulshof is serving his fifth term as the U.S. Representative serving the 25 counties in northeastern and central Missouri that make up Missouri's Ninth Congressional District.
In his first term, Congressman Hulshof secured a seat on the powerful U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, where he serves on the Heath and Social Security Subcommittees.  Early in 2003, Hulshof secured a seat on the House Committee on the Budget.

In the 107th Congress, Hulshof’s co-authored legislation to expand Education Savings Accounts was signed into law by President Bush. This legislation give families another tax tool to save for their children’s education.  The House passed Hulshof's legislation to make permanent the 2001 tax relief plan several times.  He also introduced an initiative in 2002 that fosters expanded use of biodiesel--a renewable fuel made from soybeans.

In the 106th Congress, Congressman Hulshof was a co-author of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act. This landmark legislation which helps individuals with disabilities lead independent lives, was signed into law by former President Clinton.

In Congress, Hulshof's legislative record reflects the diverse interests of the district he represents.  He is the author of the Farm and Ranch Risk Management (FARRM) Act, which establishes tax-deferred accounts to help farmers manage risk. Other legislation he’s co-sponsored includes a move to repeal outdated fuel taxes and provide incentives for low and middle income taxpayers to increase their personal savings.  He is also the lead sponsor of legislation in the House to permanently repeal the federal Death Tax.

After earning an undergraduate degree in Agriculture Economics at the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1980, Hulshof enrolled in the University of Mississippi School of Law, where he graduated in 1983. After a successful stint with both the Cape Girardeau County Public Defender's Office and the Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Hulshof joined the Missouri State Attorney General's Office in July 1989.

From 1989 to January 1996, Hulshof served as a Special Prosecutor for the Missouri Attorney General's Office. In this capacity, Hulshof's duties included prosecuting difficult murder cases across Missouri, handling sensitive or specially assigned cases, and assisting other attorneys in areas of criminal law. Hulshof handled cases in 53 Missouri counties and has tried and convicted violent criminals in more than 60 felony jury trials. In 1992 the Missouri Bar Association awarded Hulshof the prestigious Lon O. Hocker Award for Trial Advocacy. In 2001 he was awarded the Distinguished Non-Alumnus Award from the University of Missouri School of Law.

Certified as a Missouri Specialist Instructor in Criminal Law, Hulshof frequently lectured at law enforcement conferences and seminars and has instructed prosecutors from Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Utah in trial advocacy and ethics.

A native of Bertrand, Missouri, Hulshof is married to Renee (Howell) Hulshof, of Hannibal, Missouri, and a graduate of the Journalism School at the University of Missouri. Residents of Columbia, Missouri, the Hulshofs’ have two daughters, Casey Elizabeth Hulshof, born Oct. 30, 1999, and Hanna McKinley, born December 7, 2002.  

Hulshof is active in the Newman Center Catholic Church in Columbia, and serves on the board of the MU Farmhouse Foundation. X Collapse Bio

Governor Matt Blunt was born in Greene County and spent his early years in the town of Strafford, near Springfield. He learned at a young age the values of faith, family, and hard work. He attended Missouri public schools and graduated from Jefferson City High School. Blunt is a sixth generation Missourian.

Prior to his election as Governor, Blunt served as Missouri's 37th Secretary of State, represented the 139th Legislative District of Greene County in the Missouri House of Representatives, and worked in private business. Upon his graduation from the United States Naval Academy in 1993, he began a naval career that has spanned 14 years, including more than five years on active duty. He serves as a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Naval Reserve.

Governor Blunt served in Operation Support Democracy, which involved the United Nations blockade of Haiti. He also participated in the interdiction of illegal Cuban immigrants and drug interdiction missions off the coast of South America. Blunt was awarded several military commendations, including four Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals and the Humanitarian Service Medal.

On October 9, 2001, Matt Blunt became the first statewide elected official in the history of Missouri to be called into active military duty. He served for six months in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the nation's military response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. He was promoted to his present rank subsequent to his return to the U.S.

The people of Missouri elected Matt Blunt their 54th Governor on November 2, 2004. Blunt carried 101 of the state's 114 counties. He campaigned on a platform pledging to make education the state's top budget priority; create new family-supporting jobs by strengthening Missouri's economy and entrepreneurial climate; expand access to high-quality, affordable health care; and help family budgets, farms, and small businesses by holding the line on job-killing tax increases.

The Governor has made major strides on each issue in only a few months, providing effective leadership for the most successful and productive legislative session in many years.

Governor Blunt submitted a balanced budget to the Missouri General Assembly that is providing a $158 million increase in state aid for public schools and no new taxes on working families. Blunt's budget puts children, schools, and taxpayers first. Under his leadership, the state also has enacted litigation reform to address the health care crisis that was hurting families by forcing doctors to leave the state or end their practices. Blunt also is implementing regulatory reform to employer businesses to do what they do best: create new jobs, expand our economy, and build a future of economic opportunity for all Missourians.

Pledging in the campaign and in his Inaugural address to honor and strengthen Missouri's values, Blunt endorses new pro-life legislation to protect unborn children; is appointing men and women with sound values and strong credentials to the state judiciary; won passage of widely hailed legislation to fight the plague of meth production that endangers our children; and signed bills honoring Missouri's veterans, ensuring that that this and future generations will honor the contributions of these men and women to our great state and to America.

In leading Missouri in a new and constructive direction, the Governor has ended the liberal tax-and-spending policies that wrecked the state budget. Blunt ended the former administrationís anti-child policy of cutting aid to schools and stopped the practice of taking dollars from classrooms and putting them into social welfare programs that were growing uncontrollably. After only one legislative session, Missourians know they have a Governor who will do what he promised, with no new taxes, more for schools, and fiscally responsible state budgets.

An active duty veteran and current Reserve officer, Blunt is a member of the American Legion and the Missouri Farm Bureau. Matt and his wife, Melanie, were married in March of 1997. Their first child, William Branch, was born March 9, 2005. They have a home in Springfield and attend a Baptist Church near their home. X Collapse Bio

Peter D. Kinder (Republican) was elected Missouri’s 46th Lieutenant Governor on November 2, 2004, carrying 91 of Missouri’s 114 counties. He is the second Republican elected to this office since 1928.

Peter Kinder was born and raised in Cape Girardeau. As the son of one of the last Missouri pediatricians to make house calls, Peter learned the value of service, responsibility, and hard work by observing his father and occasionally accompanying him to work. Having practiced medicine for 49 years in Cape Girardeau, Dr. Jim Kinder closed his practice to move to the county health unit in the poorest part of South Cape Girardeau, serving an exclusively Medicaid population, heavy with minorities, who had no one else to care for them. This example of service is one that his son Peter has sought to emulate in serving the citizens of Missouri.

After attending Cape Girardeau Public Schools, Peter Kinder continued his education at Southeast Missouri State University and the University of Missouri-Columbia. He graduated from St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio, Texas, in 1979, and was admitted to the Missouri Bar in 1980.

From 1981 to 1983, he served as a member of U.S. Representative Bill Emerson’s Washington staff and then worked as an attorney and real estate representative for Drury Industries, as they built hotels across the Midwest. In 1987, he became associate publisher of the Southeast Missourian newspaper, writing columns and weekly editorials through 2002.

In 1992, Peter Kinder won election in his first campaign for the 27 th district in the Missouri Senate, representing the counties of Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Madison, Mississippi, Perry, and Scott. In 2001, the Republicans gained a majority in the Missouri Senate for the first time in 53 years. As a result, Kinder was elected President Pro Tem, the top elected official in the Missouri Senate, and led this body for four years through some of the toughest budget times in Missouri history. When Kinder successfully ran for Lt. Governor in 2004, he became the second sitting President Pro Tem to be elected Lieutenant Governor.

As Lieutenant Governor, Kinder serves as the official Elderly Advocate for Missouri. While in the Missouri Senate, he sponsored and passed the Elderly Protection Act in 2003, which increased the penalties for elder abuse crimes. Through his leadership as President Pro Tem, Missouri crafted the Missouri Senior Rx plan, providing prescription drug coverage for the poorest seniors. In his current capacity, Lt. Governor Kinder continues to work to protect Missouri seniors. As Lt. Governor, Kinder is promoting MOSAFE (Missourians Stopping Adult Financial Exploitation), a program designed to alert financial institutions and the general public to the crime of financially exploiting the elderly and disabled.

In January 2005, the Governor created the Government Review Commission by Executive Order, naming Kinder as the only elected official on the twenty-member board. The commission is reviewing every executive department, identifying opportunities to restructure, consolidate, or reduce areas of state government to produce the most cost-effective service for Missouri taxpayers. Since the Lieutenant Governor is a member of the executive and legislative branches of government, he is uniquely positioned to help eradicate waste and abuse of taxpayer dollars.

During his time in office, Peter Kinder has led the fight for veterans' issues. As President Pro Tem of the Senate, he chaired an interim committee that studied subsidizing veterans' homes and providing assistance to Missouri troops returning home from combat in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other parts of the world. In 2005, Lt. Governor Kinder proposed and helped to pass the Missouri Military Family Relief Fund, which benefits family members of the Missouri National Guard and Reserves personnel who have been called to active duty.

The Lieutenant Governor operates as a member of several different boards and commissions including: chair of the Missouri Rx Prescription Drug Program; Vice-Chairman of the Tourism Commission; Community Service Commission; Chairman of the Missouri Development and Finance Board; and the Missouri Housing Development Commission.
In 1996, he was named chairman of the Education Task Force of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a Washington, D.C., based association of state legislators.

Lieutenant Governor Kinder is a member of the United Methodist Church, Beta Theta Pi social fraternity, Missouri Farm Bureau, Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, and the Lions Club. He is active in many civic causes, including extensive work with the Southeast Missouri Port Authority, the United Way, the Nature Conservancy, the American Cancer Society, and the Boy Scouts of America.

Throughout his public service career, Peter Kinder has been honored by various groups for his record and achievements. His awards include: Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout; a special award from St. Louis Children’s Hospital, SSM Cardinal Glennon Hospital, and Children’s Mercy of Kansas City for support of the State Children’s Health Program and health care programs benefiting Missouri children; March of Dimes for Continued Commitment to Infant Healthcare; Southeast Missouri State University Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award; St. Louis Business Journal Legislative Award; Missouri Farm Bureau Outstanding Service to Agriculture; St. Louis Regional Commerce and Growth Association Lewis and Clark Statesman Award for Outstanding Leadership; Missouri Restaurant Association Distinguished Service; Associated Industries of Missouri Voice of Missouri Business; Missouri Right to Life Defender of Life; Southeast Missouri Alliance for Disability Independence Elected Official Award; SSM Cardinal Glennon Hospital Child Advocate Award for Civic Commitment; National Federation of Independent Businesses Guardian of Small Business; Missouri State Medical Association for dedication to improving health care; and Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry Spirit of Enterprise. X Collapse Bio

Senator Michael Gibbons was elected unanimously by his colleagues to serve as President Pro Tem of the Missouri Senate for the 93rd General Assembly. A Republican from Kirkwood, he represents the 15th Senatorial District which includes the area along I-44 from the St. Louis City limits to just west of Fenton.

Senator Gibbons was elected to his second term in 2004. He was first elected to the Senate in 2000, after serving eight years as a state representative. He served as Chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee his first two years, then as Majority Floor Leader for two years, before taking on the role of President Pro Tem.

His legislative accomplishments include creating the Safe Places for Newborns Act that lets young, vulnerable parents leave their newborn at a hospital or with an emergency worker without facing prosecution. Gibbons also reformed the property tax re-assessment process by outlawing drive-by inspections. In 2004, he created the Comprehensive Children’s Mental Health System that keeps families together while providing children with much needed mental health services.

In his first year as pro tem, the Senate passed legislation focused on protecting children, preserving and creating jobs and saving taxpayers money. The Senate led the way on rewriting the funding formula for Missouri’s public schools as well as passing a budget that provides an additional $158 million for K-12 education without raising taxes. It also tackled comprehensive workers’ compensation reform and sweeping lawsuit reform protecting employees and keeping doctors in Missouri. Other key measures the Senate passed include legislation creating new tools to combat underage drinking, and a measure that has cut meth production in Missouri by half.

This year the Senate is dedicated to protecting the rights of property owners as well as creating a new state healthcare system that will make quality, affordable health care available to the state’s most vulnerable citizens.

Besides his duties at the capitol, Sen. Gibbons practices law at Stinson, Morrison Hecker LLP in St. Louis. He lives in Kirkwood with his wife, Liz, and daughter, Meredith. Their son Danny, graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2005 and works in Baltimore.

Sen. Gibbons was born and raised in Kirkwood, Missouri. He graduated from Kirkwood High School in 1977. He then graduated from Westminster College in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and later earned his Juris Doctorate from St. Louis University School of Law in 1984. When he returned to Kirkwood he began his career in public service when he was elected to the Kirkwood City Council in 1986.

Sen. Gibbons is honored to serve as Pro Tem during this time of great change. This is the first time in 84 years that Republicans control both chambers of the legislature as well as the governor’s office. By design, he has worked to shape the tone of the Senate in his new leadership role by putting people before politics. X Collapse Bio

Rod was born in Desoto, Missouri, to Bill and Judy Jetton. Rod's father is a Baptist Minister. During his younger years his father worked at churches in the panhandle of Texas and eastern New Mexico. In Rod's junior high and senior high years, he served in many churches throughout Southeast Missouri. Rod's religious upbringing taught him the importance of hard work and faith in God. His parents just finished serving as missionaries in South Africa.

Rod graduated from Charleston High School in 1986. He attended Cape Girardeau public schools from 6th to 9th grade but transferred during his freshman year when his father became pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Charleston. Rod was a four-year letterman on the cross country and track teams. William McCall and Rod were selected as the co-most valuable team member his senior year and he set the school two mile record with a time of 9:52. Rod enjoys music and singing and he played Sky Masterson in the school musical Guys and Dolls his senior year. He was also the senior class treasurer.

Rod was awarded a college scholarship for cross country and track to attend Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri. He graduated in May 1990, with a double major in history and political science. Rod loves running and was a 4-year letterman and captain of the cross country and track teams. His first interest in politics started in student government where he was elected to several offices ending his service as the Student Body President his senior year. Rod has said the best thing he did at college was to marry Cassie James during his junior year.

After college, Rod joined Congressman Bill Emerson's campaign team as a field coordinator. He gained valuable experience in local grass roots politics and in part, because of his efforts Bill Emerson was able to carry Reynolds County for the first time. Rod also learned from Bill that being a leader and representing the people required hard work and an ability to listen to their concerns. Rod has used that experience as a commissioner and State Representative to help all citizens regardless of their party or status. He believes the issues affecting our citizens are bigger than any political party.

Rod joined the United States Marine Corps and served as an Infantry Officer for four years. He was stationed in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and was involved in the Bosnia and Somalia operations. After finishing his tour in 1995, Rod received an honorable discharge. The Marine Corps taught Rod the importance of teamwork and gave him a better understanding of the sacrifices our veterans have made for this country.

After leaving the Marine Corps, Rod started Jetton James Real Estate Company with his father-in-law. Running a small business has shown Rod how overbearing our state's taxes and regulations have become. As a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the NFIB, he has been a vigorous advocate of cutting taxes and reducing needless regulations.

In 1996, Rod was elected to the Bollinger County Commission. He became the youngest County Commissioner in the state at that time. While county governments have seen spending rise dramatically over the past few years, Rod worked to cut costs. Bollinger County remained in the black during his term, in part because of Rod's willingness to work with the other commissioners in their efforts to account for every dollar. He also worked to keep citizens informed of the county's activities by having town hall meetings throughout the district and writing a column in the newspaper.

In 2000, Rod ran for and won a seat in the Missouri House of Representatives where he is currently serving. In just his second term, he was chosen Speaker Pro Tem of the Missouri House. On January 5 th 2005, Rod was sworn in as the 70th Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives.

As Speaker, Rod's priorities include improving the economic climate in the state, reform of a run away legal system, ensuring quality medical care for all Missourians and giving every child an excellent education. Rod is working to bring a more bi-partisan environment to the legislature. In his efforts to make better laws for all Missourians, Rod has changed the legislative process to make sure everyone's voices are heard.

Rod takes an active part in the betterment of his community and is a member of New Salem Baptist Church, Chamber of Commerce, Optimist Club, Christian Coalition, VFW Post 5900, Farm Bureau, National Rifle Association and National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). The Bollinger County Chamber of Commerce gave Rod the "One Year VIP Business Achievement Award" in 1998 for his leadership and service to the community.

In 1988, Rod married Cassie James.Together they are raising three children, Callie, Elaine and Will. Cassie has been a full partner with Rod in caring for the household and the children when he was away on deployments while in the Marine Corps. Now that Rod is serving the public, she manages the apprasial company and has been instrumental in its success. X Collapse Bio

Sarah Steelman is the first Republican woman in Missouri history to be elected to the office of State Treasurer. A working mother who has dedicated her life to public service, she was administered the oath of office by her father, John Hearne, to become Missouri’s 44th state Treasurer on January 10, 2005.

Treasurer Steelman is responsible for the management of more than $19 billion in Missouri’s annual revenue. She oversees the investment of more than $3 billion in long- and short-term investments in the state’s portfolio. She is in charge of the state’s efforts to return more than $300 million in cash and valuables to citizens through the unclaimed property program.
An economist, Treasurer Steelman reshaped the state’s financial priorities by correcting Missouri’s overall investment policy from simple comparative yield to a cumulative yield strategy to increase the benefits Missouri’s investments bring to all citizens.

In her first months in office, she eliminated foreign-owned investment companies from the state’s preferred list of financial broker-dealers. She advocated and won passage of a comprehensive overhaul of state banking laws to bring Missouri tax dollars back to the state. She won legislative approval for changes to allow Missouri deposits to be directly invested in Missouri communities to strengthen local and state economies, create jobs and bolster Missouri farms and agricultural business.

Steelman is the first treasurer in Missouri history to win approval for a plan to make the state’s Treasury self-funded. This approach freed up more than $1 million in General Revenue by adapting a private-sector model that pays for the Treasurer’s Office out of interest the office earns by managing state investments.

Treasurer Steelman serves as chairman of the state’s Higher Education Savings Board, which administers the Missouri Saving for Tuition, or MOST program. This program helps citizens save for the college education of their children through a tax advantaged investment program. Treasurer Steelman serves as Chairman of the Missouri Housing Development Commission, a member of the governing board of the Missouri State Employee Retirement System and the Board of Fund Commissioners that oversees issuance of debt instruments by the state.

In 1998 and 2002, Steelman was elected to serve as the Senator for the 16th Senatorial District. As a member of the Senate, Steelman served as chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce and the Environment. She served as a member of the Senate Committee on Aging, Families, Mental and Public Health; a member of the Senate Committee on Education; and a member of the Senate Committee on Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight.

She also served on the Missouri Consolidated Health Plan Board of Trustees; the Joint Task Force on Terrorism, Bio-Terrorism and Homeland Security; and the Joint Committee on Rules.

As a state lawmaker, Steelman passed a number of key measures, including major economic development bills, revisions to the sunshine law making it easier for citizens to get access to records and open meetings, a bill requiring hospitals to take measures to reduce and prevent staph infections, and a charitable check off that allows taxpayers to contribute to medical research to find cures for serious illnesses. She also introduced and placed on the ballot Constitutional Amendment No. 2, the Sanctity of Marriage Act, which was adopted by voters in August 2004, to define marriage in Missouri as a union between one man and one woman.

Steelman has been awarded the Missouri Watch- Defender of Patient Safety Award, the MPS Award of Excellence for making CCW a reality, the James Kirkpatrick Award, the NAMI Legislative Hero award, the Associated Industries Voice of Missouri Business Award, Disabled Citizens Alliance Award, the Pathways Partnership Award, the Phyllis Schlafly & The Eagles Forum God/Family/Country Award, the Sheriff's Association Senator of the Year Award, the Missouri Osteopathic Distinguished Health Legislative Award and the Outstanding Legislator Award by the Speech, Language Hearing Association.

Previously, Steelman served as deputy director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources – Division of Geology and Land Survey. She also worked as an economist for the Department of Revenue and as an adjunct professor in economics at Lincoln University. She served as an investment broker and as the director of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters program in Rolla, a not-for-profit organization that matches children in need of attention with volunteer mentors.

Steelman holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and a Master of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Missouri – Columbia.

She and her husband, David, make their home in Rolla with their three sons, Sam, Joe and Michael. Her step-daughter, Amanda Steelman, resides with her husband, Taylor, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. X Collapse Bio

Sarah For more information on Michael, visit http://www.republicanbasics.com/.

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