COLUMBIA, Mo. — State Rep. Caleb Rowden officially announced his entrance into the 19th District Missouri Senate race Monday. The 19th Senate District includes all of Boone and Cooper counties. Rowden is in his second term in the Missouri House, where he has quickly made a name for himself as a common-sense pragmatist who has been able to get things done for mid-Missouri.
Rowden landed a coveted position on the House Budget Committee as a freshman legislator and was named chairman of the important Economic Development committee in his second term. Rowden’s accomplishments include bringing home $267 million new dollars for K-12 education and almost $80 million new dollars for higher education through his work on the Budget committee, helping pass key economic development initiatives that have directly benefited mid-Missouri, and championing ethics reform to bring more accountability to the Missouri legislature.
Strengthening Missouri’s economy will continue to be one of Rowden’s top priorities in the Senate. “Missouri’s economy has seen steady and significant growth over the last three years. What we do next to build on that economic momentum will play a critical role in determining the trajectory of growth for the next decade and the next generation of Missourians.”
Rowden will also continue to be diligent in working to pass significant ethics reforms into law. “I believe the time is now for us to pass meaningful ethics reforms in Jefferson City. The last number of years have highlighted a series of problems that we must find clear and functional solutions that will restore the public’s trust in our process.”
Rowden is proud to have the endorsement of the other elected State Representatives within the 19th Senate District.
“Caleb is my friend and has been a tireless advocate for mid-Missouri over the last three years. The 19th Senate District needs continued effective leadership in the Missouri Senate, and Caleb is that leader. I am proud to endorse his campaign.” – Caleb Jones – 50th District State Representative
“Caleb has a unique set of talents and skills that will allow him to continue the great leadership the 19th Senate District has had over the last eight years. I wholeheartedly support his campaign for the Missouri Senate and will do anything I can to help him win this very important election.” – Dave Muntzel – 48th District State Representative
“Caleb has proven he can tackle and articulate tough issues in a way that resonates with voters from both sides of the aisle, and has proven he has the ability to get things done in Jefferson City. Mid-Missouri needs leadership like this, and I am very glad to see Caleb take this step. I proudly endorse his campaign.” – Chuck Basye – 47th District State Representative
Rowden will share his policy goals and hear from constituents in a district-wide listening tour in the weeks to come. Tour stops will include small businesses, health care facilities, various agriculture-related stops and education facilities.
Rowden will celebrate the launch of his Senate run at a kickoff event to be held at the Inside Columbia building (47 E Broadway, Columbia) on Thursday, September 17th at 6pm. Members of the public are encouraged to attend.
“I ran for State Representative in 2012 because I was committed to fighting for a brighter future for the next generation of Missourians. I am as committed and passionate as I’ve ever been to see this community continue to be a great place to live, work and raise a family. We have some unique challenges ahead, but I believe we have the capacity and opportunity to tackle those challenges head on, and I look forward to standing with the people of mid-Missouri in that fight as their next State Senator.”
For more information on Rowden and his campaign and to watch his new campaign video, go online to www.calebrowden.com. You can also stay connected and get real time updates at his campaign Twitter and Facebook pages.
