ANNAPOLIS, Mo. – It’s official: Chris Dinkins will be the Republican nominee in the upcoming special election to replace Rep. Paul Fitzwater in the 144th District.
Members of the district’s Republican Legislative Committee met Saturday at the Reynolds County Courthouse to select their nominee to run for the vacant seat after the resignation by Fitzwater to accept an appointment by Governor Eric Greitens to the Board of Probations and Parole.
The four nominated candidates each spoke before the committee, but Dinkins received the necessary majority of votes after the first round of voting, securing the nomination.
“I am very grateful to the members of the committee who have put their faith and trust in me to run as our candidate,” Dinkins said. “It is vital that this district continues to have a strong, conservative voice representing us in Jefferson City.”
Dinkins is a small business owner and has been active in state and local Republican politics for years, having served as co-founder of the Iron County GOP Club, Field Director for the House Republican Campaign Committee, and a Missouri Republican Party State Committeewoman.
She also served as the legislative assistant for Rep. Fitzwater, as well as the Deputy Treasurer for his campaign committee. Fitzwater has offered Dinkins his full support.
“Chris has been a huge advocate for this district and has the experience needed to get to work on behalf of the people on Day One,” Fitzwater said. “Working families will have an advocate in Chris Dinkins and I trust once voters meet her they will understand why she was the committee’s choice”.
When asked about the most important issues facing the district, Dinkins said her campaign will focus on jobs, education, and public safety.
“The riots in St. Louis have been a national embarrassment. I will always have the backs of the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect our families. As state representative, I’ll fight to ensure our police officers have the tools they need to keep our communities safe” Dinkins said. “One of my top focuses will be creating a business-friendly environment to attract quality jobs in the region. I’ll stand up for working families and work with the Governor’s administration to bring rural broadband to our communities.”
The special election will be held February 6th, 2018.
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.
