Mark Parkinson (Missouri politician)

Mark A. Parkinson (born October 30, 1972) is a Republican former member of the Missouri House of Representatives, representing the 105th district (St. Charles County).

For the former governor of Kansas, see Mark Parkinson.
Mark A. Parkinson
Member of the Missouri House of Representatives
from the 105th district
In office
January 9, 2013 – January 4, 2017
Preceded byPaul Curtman
Succeeded byPhil Christofanelli
Member of the Missouri House of Representatives
from the 16th District
In office
February 26, 2008 – January 9, 2013
Preceded byCarl Bearden
Succeeded byNoel Shull
Personal details
Born (1972-10-30) October 30, 1972
Saint Charles, Missouri
NationalityAmerican
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Brigit Parkinson
ResidenceSaint Charles, Missouri
ProfessionPolitician
Websitewww.markparkinson.org

Personal life

Background and education

Parkinson is a St. Charles County native, graduating from Francis Howell High School. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Saint Louis University in 2000. He is married to Brigit Parkinson.

Group memberships

Parkinson holds lifetime membership with the National Rifle Association, and is also a member of Ducks Unlimited, Missouri Right to Life, and the National Park Foundation. In the St. Charles area, Parkinson is a member of the St. Charles chapter of the Pachyderms, a Republican social club.

Political career

Pre-elected career

In 2000, Parkinson began working for the St. Louis office of United States Senator Kit Bond. During his time with Bond, he eventually became the deputy district director of the St. Louis office, overseeing that office's constituent relations and constituent outreach programs. Among other responsibilities, Parkinson coordinated and conducted Bond's "Listening Post" program, holding local question-and-answer sessions across 17 counties in northeast Missouri.[1]

Prior to his role with Bond, Parkinson also worked closely with the St. Louis Senate office of then-U.S. Senator and future U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft.

Elected career and legislation

In 2007, Parkinson announced his intention to run for the 16th district state representative seat vacated by Carl Bearden, and was selected by the local Republican legislative committee to run as the party's candidate.[2] Due to the nature of the election, there was no primary, and Parkinson faced Democrat Tom Fann in a special election held on the same day as Missouri's 2008 presidential primary. Despite over 500 more Democratic primary ballots being drawn, Parkinson won by 3%, and was sworn in on February 26, 2008.

Despite Parkinson's shortened timeframe during his first term, he sponsored immigration reform legislation that was eventually incorporated into an omnibus immigration bill and signed by governor Matt Blunt.[3][4] For his work on this issue, he was recognized as one of the freshmen legislators of the year.

Parkinson was reelected in November 2008. During the 2009 session of the Missouri General Assembly, Parkinson has sponsored legislation dealing with immigration reform, property tax reform, tax deductions for homeschooling families, truth in sentencing legislation, and other issues.[5] Parkinson was reelected in 2010. In 2012, following decennial redistricting, the former 16th district was renumbered as the 105th district, to which Parkinson was reelected. Parksinson could not seek reelection in 2016 due to term limits and was succeeded by Phil Christofanelli (R-Saint Peters).

Committee assignments

2008 legislative session

  • Tax Reform;
  • Financial Institutions;
  • Transportation; and
  • Joint Transportation Oversight Committee.

2009–2010 legislative session

  • International Trade and Immigration (Vice-Chair);
  • Fiscal Review;
  • Homeland Security; and;
  • Special Committee on General Laws.

2011–2012 legislative session

  • Appropriations – General Administration, Chairman
  • Budget
  • General Laws
  • Fiscal Review
  • International Trade and Job Creation
  • Joint Committee on Capital Improvements and Leases Oversight, Vice-Chairman
  • Joint Committee on Legislative Research

2013–2014 legislative session

  • Appropriations – General Administration, Chairman
  • Government Oversight and Accountability, Vice-Chairman
  • Budget
  • Elementary and Secondary Education
  • General Laws

2015–2016 legislative session

  • Consumer Affairs, Chairman
  • Select Committee on Judiciary
  • Appropriations – Higher Education
  • Employment Security

Electoral history
2014 General Election for Missouri’s 105th District House of Representatives[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Mark Parkinson 6,728 61.8
Democratic Matt Judkins 4,151 38.2
2012 General Election for Missouri’s 105th District House of Representatives[7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Mark Parkinson 11,726 60.6
Democratic Debbie Bixler 7,619 39.4
2010 General Election for Missouri’s 16th District House of Representatives[8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Mark Parkinson 8,776 66.5
Democratic Debbie Bixler 4,414 33.5
2008 General Election for Missouri’s 16th District House of Representatives[9]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Mark Parkinson 10,366 53.1
Democratic Kristy Manning 9,171 46.9
2008 Special Election for Missouri’s 16th District House of Representatives[10]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Mark Parkinson 5,139 51.6
Democratic Tom Fann 4,824 48.4
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References
  1. Official Missouri House of Representatives biography-Retrieved March 25, 2009
  2. InBrief (St. Charles County Suburban Journal), Sept. 15, 2007-Retrieved March 25, 2009
  3. Missouri House Bill 2366 (2008)
  4. Missouri House Bills 1549, 1771, 1395, and 2366 (2008)
  5. Sponsored and co-sponsored legislation-Retrieved March 25, 2009
  6. Missouri Secretary of State Election Archives-November 4, 2014 General Election-District 105-Retrieved November 12, 2014
  7. Missouri Secretary of State Election Archives-November 6, 2012 General Election-District 105-Retrieved June 17, 2014
  8. Missouri Secretary of State Election Archives-November 2, 2010 General Election-District 16-Retrieved November 16, 2010
  9. Missouri Secretary of State Election Archives-November 4, 2008 General Election-District 16-Retrieved March 25, 2009
  10. Missouri Secretary of State Election Archives-February 5, 2008 Special Election-District 16-Retrieved March 25, 2009
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