JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri State Treasurer Eric Schmitt has been named a rising political star by the Aspen Institute.
The state treasurer is one of 24 people who was selected after an intensive year-long search to be named to the Rodel Fellowship in Public Leadership program, a program designed to bring together elected officials who they believe have demonstrated an “outstanding ability to work responsibly across partisan divisions and bring greater civility to public discourse.”
The Rodel Fellowship program is an invitation-only program for men and women in an elected public office, ideally between the ages of 25-50.
Selected on an annual basis, each class consists of 24 Fellows, identified by the program’s leadership as America’s emerging political leaders with reputations for intellect, thoughtfulness, and a commitment to civil dialogue. The 24-month fellowship program consists of three weekend-long seminars, generally held in Aspen, Colorado.
“These men and women represent the very best among the new generation of America’s political leadership,” former Congressman Mickey Edwards, the program’s director, said in announcing the new class. “They have each won the notice and praise of their constituents and their colleagues and have shown a dedication to public service that is an encouraging sign in a time of great challenge. There are now nearly 300 Rodel Fellows, at all levels of government, working to ensure that Americans receive thoughtful and responsive leadership. We are very proud to have these outstanding leaders join their ranks.”
In doing so, Schmitt is now the ninth Missourian to ever make the cut since the program’s first class in 2005.
Former Secretary of State Robin Carnahan was the first Missourian to be named to the Rodel Fellowship in its inaugural class. Other Missourians who have been named to the Fellowship since its beginning includes:
- Former Attorney General Chris Koster
- Former State Treasurer Clint Zweifel
- Former President Pro-Tem Tom Dempsey
- Sen. Ryan Silvey
- Rep. Todd Richardson
- Former State Rep. Rachel Storch
- St. Louis Treasurer Tishaura Jones
Benjamin Peters was a reporter for The Missouri Times and Missouri Times Magazine and also produced the #MoLeg Podcast. He joined The Missouri Times in 2016 after working as a sports editor and TV news producer in mid-Missouri. Benjamin is a graduate of Missouri State University in Springfield.
