By Eli Yokley
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Before 2011, Sherri Kempf had little experience with the legislative process in Jefferson City.
But with a term under her belt, Kempf is the right-hand woman behind Rep. Caleb Jones, R-California, as his influence in the Republican majority continues to rise.
Kempf — a former State Farm employee who was active in Cooper County Republican politics for several years prior — began work in Jefferson City soon after Jones was elected during 2010.
“After Caleb ran and won the primary, he asked if I would come to work for him,” she said. “I wanted to get out of my cubical because I wanted to meet people and get back in public service.”
Before working at State Farm, Kempf did volunteer work for the University of Missouri Extension, part of the university system’s effort to live up to its “land grant university status.” There, she said she had her first interactions with the legislature: she was asked to testify before the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The experience sparked her interest in politics. Kempf, who said she was a stay-at-home mom for much of her life, was a late bloomer to politics. During 2004, while she was serving as chairman of the Cooper County Republican Club, Kempf helped elect Kenny Jones, Caleb Jones’s father, to the seat. She continued to volunteer on local races, and during 2010 becomes active in former state Sen. Bill Stouffer’s congressional campaign.
“I’ve done a lot of things in my life, but I told everybody I’m a late bloomer — I know what I want to do when I grow up: I want to be here,” she said, with a smile. “I know this sounds silly. Every day I drive to the Capitol, and get almost to the bridge and I see the Capitol in the distance and I still get goosebumps because I know history is happening. It affects my children, it affects my grandchildren, and it make me take my job very seriously.”
Kempf said she has developed a good bond with Jones, which allows her to anticipate his needs as chairman of the General Laws Committee. In addition to her legislative work, Kempf said she makes constituent services a priority in her office, particularly because of the proximity of Jones’ district, many of his constituents make at least an annual trip to the Capitol.
“We have lots of people who come from the district,” she said. “We try to make it really friendly in here. Maybe it’s the mom in me, but I like to make everybody feel comfortable. It may be as silly as making sure they know they can hang their coats and put their stuff up here, but I want them to know this is their office.”
Kempf said she usually gets to work around 8:00 a.m., and leaves at the earliest around 7:00 p.m., but in her free time she said she focuses on her children, her husband, and her community.
“I’m on a homeless shelter board in my town,” she added. “I really love this board because they have a work program to help them find jobs and save money so they can get apartments.”
Kempf also teaches Sunday school, and brags that she has an excellent chicken noodle soup recipe: “I kind of got known for my chicken and noodles here at the Capitol.”
She resides in Boonville with her husband, Jimmy, and her son Matthew, 23, who is getting married next year. Her other son, Daniel, 20, plays football at Northwest Missouri University.
To contact Eli Yokley, email eli@themissouritimes.com, or via Twitter at @eyokley.