Stephen Webber

Stephen Webber (born June 8, 1983) is the former Chair of the Missouri Democratic Party.[1] Webber served as a Democratic member of the Missouri House of Representatives from 2009-2016, representing the 46th District in central Missouri. Before taking office, Webber served two tours of duty in Iraq with the United States Marine Corps. He resides in Columbia. Webber is a potential candidate for Missouri governor but has not declared.[2]

For other uses, see Stephen Webber (disambiguation).
Stephen Webber
Chair of the Missouri Democratic Party
In office
December 4, 2016 – December 1, 2018
Preceded byRoy Temple
Succeeded byJean Peters Baker
Member of the Missouri House of Representatives
from the 46th district
In office
January 7, 2009 – January 9, 2017
Preceded byJeff Harris
Succeeded byMartha Stevens
Personal details
Born (1983-06-08) June 8, 1983
Political partyDemocratic
EducationSaint Louis University (BA)
University of Missouri, Columbia (JD)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Marine Corps
Years of service2004
2006–2007
RankSergeant
Battles/warsIraq War

Background and education

Webber graduated from Columbia's Hickman High School in 2001.[3] He received his bachelor's degree in economics from Saint Louis University in 2006.[4] Webber received his J.D. in 2013 from the University of Missouri School of Law and is a licensed attorney in the State of Missouri.[5]

Career

Webber has served two tours of duty in Iraq with the United States Marine Corps.[6][7] His first tour, which began in 2004 and lasted 7 months, found him stationed outside Abu Ghraib prison. In 2006, he returned to Iraq, this time to Fallujah, as a squad leader of 12 other Marines.[4][8]

After returning from Iraq, he worked as an aide to Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) in Washington, D.C.[4]

Webber completed his Juris Doctor in 2013 at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law and is licensed to practice law in the State of Missouri.

Political career

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.[8] Harris, a Democrat, had previously announced he would not run for reelection in order to run for attorney general of Missouri.[9]

Webber defeated opponent Cande Iveson in the August 5, 2008 Democratic primary election, with 3,391 votes to her 1,735,[10] or 66.2 percent to 33.8 percent of the vote.[11]

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"[12] including former Missouri governor Roger B. Wilson[11] and local Democratic booster Bruce Wilson.

General election

Webber ran unopposed in the November 4th, 2008 general election,[13][14] winning 100% of the vote[15] and making him the youngest representative in the state.[16]

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,[17] add "robo-calls" to Missouri's No Call List,[18] increase state restrictions on short-term or "payday" loans,[19] and change Missouri election law to allow early voting.[20]

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.[21][22]

State Senate election

In April 2015 State Rep. Stephen Webber announced his intention to seek the 19th District State Senate seat. In his announcement Webber described the importance of the Mid-Missouri community, "When I was sitting in Fallujah, the place I wanted to come back to was Boone County, it wasn't anywhere else in the world," Webber said. "The community has invested a lot in me and I want to make sure we invest in the next generation of Missourians."[23] The incumbent State Senator, Kurt Schaefer, was term limited.

Electoral history
2008 General Election for Missouri’s 23rd District House of Representatives[24]
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[25]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Democratic Stephen Webber 9,370 67.99
Republican Paul S. Szopa 4,411 32.01
2012 General Election for Missouri’s 46th District House of Representatives [26]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Democratic Stephen Webber 12,202 65.02
Republican Fred Berry 6,564 34.98
2014 General Election for Missouri’s 46th District House of Representatives [27]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Democratic Stephen Webber 7,948 100.00
Republican NONE 0 0
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References
  1. Mannies, Jo. "Missouri Democratic Party chairman won't seek another term". news.stlpublicradio.org. Retrieved 2019-02-24.
  2. Rosenbaum, Jason. "New Missouri Democratic vice chair says the party can attract both urban and rural voters". www.ksmu.org. Retrieved 2019-02-24.
  3. "Military Notes". Columbia Daily Tribune. April 27, 2003. Archived from the original on January 24, 2016. Retrieved 2008-07-06.
  4. Barker, Jacob (July 28, 2008). "Primary primer: Webber, although young, touts his wealth of life experience". Columbia Missourian. Retrieved 2008-07-06.
  5. Santiago, Christina (April 9, 2015). "Rep. Stephen Webber running for state senate". KOMU. Retrieved 2015-05-29.
  6. Keller, Rudi (October 24, 2008). "Federal programs ease voting for those serving in military overseas". Southeast Missourian. Retrieved 2008-07-06.
  7. Greaney, T.J. (September 2, 2008). "An outpouring of support". Columbia Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved 2008-07-06.
  8. Rosenbaum, Jason (February 20, 2008). "Local Marine to run for seat in state House". Columbia Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved 2008-07-06.
  9. Rosenbaum, Jason (June 22, 2008). "Some area lawmakers are bound to change in this fall's elections". Columbia Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved 2008-07-06.
  10. Barker, Jacob (August 6, 2008). "Webber, Still win Democratic nods for state House seats". Columbia Missourian. Retrieved 2008-07-05.
  11. Rosenbaum, Jason (August 6, 2008). "Webber easily wins 23rd seat". Columbia Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved 2008-07-06.
  12. Rosenbaum, Jason (July 23, 2008). "War vet gets high-level support". Columbia Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved 2008-07-06.
  13. Heavin, Janese (October 30, 2008). "Students get taste of politics". Columbia Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved 2008-07-06.
  14. Dieterich, Chris (November 5, 2008). "Unopposed 23rd District candidate keeps busy on Election Day". Columbia Missourian. Retrieved 2008-07-06.
  15. "Summary Report - Boone County, Missouri". Boone County Clerk's Office. November 4, 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-06.
  16. Aldrich, Dick (December 22, 2008). "Youngest Lawmaker Prepares for First Session". Missouri House of Representatives . Retrieved 2008-07-06. External link in |publisher= (help)
  17. Slavit, Mark (November 20, 2008). "Freshmen legislators want more university funding". Connect Mid-Missouri. Archived from the original on October 6, 2011. Retrieved 2008-07-06.
  18. Heavin, Janese (December 1, 2008). "Bill would cap payday loan rates". Columbia Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved 2008-07-06.
  19. Tsukayama, Haley (December 3, 2008). "Proposed legislation to restrict payday loans". Columbia Missourian. Archived from the original on July 24, 2012. Retrieved 2008-07-06.
  20. Waters, Henry J. III (November 13, 2008). "Early voting". Columbia Missourian. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved 2008-07-06.
  21. "Representative Stephen Webber". Missouri House of Representatives (http://house.mo.gov). Retrieved 2009-07-05.
  22. Denney, Andrew (January 19, 2009). "Columbia representatives find their committee assignments". The Maneater. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
  23. Keller, Rudi (9 April 2015). "Webber announces plans to seek Senate seat in 2016". Columbia Daily Tribune. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  24. Boone County Election Archives-November 4, 2008 General Election-District 23-Retrieved July 6, 2009
  25. Boone County Election Archives-November 2, 2010 General Election-District 23-Retrieved November 6, 2010
  26. Carnahan, Robin. "Missouri Secretary of State". Missouri Secretary of State Election Night Results. MO Secretary of State. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  27. Kander, Jason. "Missouri Secretary of State". Missouri Secretary of State Election Night Results. MO SOS. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
Party political offices
Preceded by
Roy Temple		 Chair of the Missouri Democratic Party
2016–2018		 Succeeded by
Jean Peters Baker
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