Engler announces run for House seat

Senator Kevin Engler announced on Monday that he plans to run for the Missouri House of Representatives in the 116th District in the 2012 election. 

Engler was elected to the Senate in 2004, re-elected in 2008 and also served as the majority floor leader to the Senate from 2009-2010. Before serving in the Senate, Engler completed one term in the House of Representatives, leaving him eligible for three more terms. 

During his time in the legislature, Engler has passed numerous pieces of legislation. In 2004, he proposed an amendment to the Missouri Constitution that would establish marriage as only being between a man and a woman. Missourians voted the amendment into law the following August with an overwhelming majority of the vote.

Engler has been a consistent advocate of imposing stricter regulations on Missouri’s abortion laws. Last year, he helped pass the Abortion Restriction Law, which requires women seeking abortions to be counseled in person at least 24 hours before undergoing the procedure. This year, Engler helped pass legislation that bans abortions from being conducted after 20 weeks of pregnancy. 

In 2007, Engler passed legislation prohibiting the government from restricting possession of guns and ammunition. One year later, he helped enact a law that exempts firearm ranges from receiving noise complaints. 

Since being elected, Engler has fought to hold elected officials accountable for the expenses they bring to the state.  In 2007, he proposed legislation that rejected a salary increase for legislators. Similarly, in 2010, Engler co-sponsored a bill that would freeze the per diem of the General Assembly for two years. 

Engler is responsible for numerous laws currently in place that crack down on illegal immigrants’ ability to receive benefits from the state. He also continues to remain devoted to helping law enforcement, as well as ensuring that the Missouri education system is well funded and world class.   

 “This move to go back to the House may seem a bit unorthodox, but with the condition our state is in, now is not the time for me to leave the legislature,” Engler said. “I have always aggressively advocated for policy I believe in, while still trying to work across party lines. I think that style of diplomacy is rare and needs to remain present in Jefferson City.” 

Engler began his political career by serving one year on the Farmington City Council before being elected mayor, a position he held for six years. Engler helped the community grow by spearheading numerous projects including construction of the Farmington Civic Center, Centene Center and Water Park, Industrial Park and Engler Park. 

Engler and his wife, Chris, also started a fund that later became the St. Francois County United Way.