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Capitol Culture Staff Feature: Courtney Lauer

Courtney Lauer, Legislative Assistant for Senator Doug Libla, is what you might call “politically active.” She was the president of her Senate at courtneyColumbiaCollege and just before she bounded her way into law school, she got a chance to do some real political work.

After working for then-Senator Cunningham and then finding herself without a desk after redistricting, she started looking for someone else in the building who might find her useful.

“I fell in love with the legislature working for Senator Cunningham,” Lauer said. “And I wanted to stay in the building.”

Soon, she heard about Senator Doug Libla, from Poplar Bluff, who wasn’t at Senator at all at the time, but had aspirations. Lauer liked Doug’s positions, liked his ideas, and had spent some time in the district. After a warm interview, she was part of the staff.

“I really admired his policies and principles,” Lauer told The Missouri Times. “He’s making it so that changes that need to be done are accessible. He’s a doer, he likes to act.”

Lauer has always been impressed with Libla, whether it’s his philanthropy, which he consistently refuses to “campaign” on, or his genuine compassion for his constituents. Lauer said Libla didn’t fit the mold of the stereotypical politician.

“Sometimes we think of politicians and we forget that they aren’t all bad people,” Lauer said. “We forget some of them are trying really hard and have a very caring heart for the people in their districts. [Senator Libla] is like that, he’s caring.”

Lauer worked on lots of education issues in the past, but she doesn’t have any agenda ite

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m highlighted or underlined as the passion project. She’s likes budgets, and how taxpayer money is allocated. More importantly, the tangible result of money being sent into the right programs.

“I’ve spent time in the [25th] district,” Lauer said. “It made me look at things differently, it certainly made me see how important agriculture can be to so many people.”

Sheltered workshops are close to her heart, and she’s always looking to make them better sources of service for adults with developmental disabilities.

What’s next? That’s not always so clear. Law school is still a “major aspiration” for her. But then again, so does running for office, or moving up the ladder in the staff. She’s got an itch to be in the courtroom, though.

“I’m going to be in a court one day, I know,” Lauer said. “Maybe as a prosecutor, maybe defense, maybe even a judge. Who knows?”

Works For: Senator Doug Libla

Position: Legislative Assistant

Hometown: Lee’s Summit

College: Columbia College Hobbies: Volleyball

Favorite Movie: Legally Blonde

Soundtrack of your Life: Wagon Wheel