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Rep. Sonya Anderson makes bid for Greene County Commissioner

A term-limited representative serving as the caucus chair for the House Republicans is looking to continue representing her community — this time a little closer to home.

Sonya Murray Anderson
Rep. Sonya Anderson is running for Greene County Commissioner (PROVIDED).

On Wednesday, Rep. Sonya Anderson announced her bid for Greene County Commissioner. She seeks to fill the position, now held by Republican Harold Bengsch, representing District 1. The local district encompasses Ash Grove, Battlefield, Republic, the Western portion of Springfield, Willard, and Walnut Grove. 

“I am no stranger to combating government waste and red tape. I sought to fight it as a representative in Jefferson City. I look around Greene County and I think we could be doing more for our citizens. We need to make sure every dollar counts,” Anderson said in a statement. 

Anderson was first elected to the Missouri House in 2012 and served four years as the first female chair of the Conservation and Natural Resources Committee. She also sits on the Fiscal Review and Ethics Committees as well as the Joint Committee on Solid Waste Management District Operations.

In the House, she pushed to expand and strengthen the protections of the Safe at Home Program, protect livestock owners rights, and advocated for issues dealing with hazardous waste.

“It has been the highest honor of my life to represent the people of Greene County and our pro-life values,” Anderson said. “It is an exciting time to be involved right now during this booming Trump economy. I’m ready to help be a part of keeping Greene County moving forward.”

A seventh-generation native of Greene County, Anderson has more than 20 years of experience in small business and management. She served as a corporate officer for Rose’s Down Home Cleaning, Inc.; as general manager for Ben Steele Properties; and as a recycling coordinator and accounts payable coordinator for Waste Management of Southwest Missouri.

She co-owns and operates Show Me Horses and Farrier Service alongside her husband of 29 years, Jim.

“My family has years of experience in the local area — from solid waste to livestock sales we have been involved in these communities for years and we see this as an extension of that,” Anderson said. “As someone who lives, works, and raised a family in the county, I’ve come to understand its people, and I think that our county government is in need of some positive developments. I’ve driven a lot of the county roads and bridges that the commission is in charge of and I know what issues are important to the people of the county.” 

Anderson previously sat on a number of boards including the Missouri Apartment and Housing Association and the Springfield Apartment and Housing Association.

“Community service is an important value to me. We taught our sons that they should always be looking for ways to lend a helping hand and to work for the betterment of their area,” Anderson said. That is why I am running. I have the knowledge and skills necessary to excel as a county commissioner, and I want to implement a government that is receptive to the needs of residents, a government that helps to invest in the area, grow the local economy, and keep taxes low for residents.”

Anderson has retained Axiom Strategies to serve as consultants on her campaign. The election will be in 2020.