This is the first installment of our week-long, six part series,
“Meet the Freshmen.”
Dennis Fowler, R-Advance –
Hometown: Advance, Mo.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice
Political Career highlight: “The opportunity to campaign.”
Key Issues: Energy
Something people don’t know: “I’ve dismantled probably more meth labs than anyone in the state.”
——-
Elaine Gannon, R-DeSoto –
Hometown: DeSoto, Mo.
Education: Associate’s degree from Jefferson County Community College, Bachelor’s of Science degree in Education from Southeast Missouri State University, Master’s of Science in Education from Southwest Missouri Baptist University.
Political career highlight: Winning in a new district that was a part of four districts that were formerly held by Democrats for the past three decades.
Key issue: Education.
What people don’t know about you: She is the youngest of 11 children and the only one who was born in a hospital.
——-
Jeffrey Pogue, R-Salem –
Education: Southern Baptist University at Salem
Career Highlights: Fourth generation carpenter and farmer, as well as a pastor.
Key Issues: Pro-life, 2nd Amendment, small government issues.
What People Don’t Know About You: He is a pastor who says he lives by phrase, “you can take the boy out of the country but you can’t take the country out of the boy.”
——-
Holly Rehder, R-Sikeston –
Education: Southeast Missouri State University
Career Highlights: Business owner, and worked on the campaign of former Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson
Key Issues: Drug Monitoring Bill, Utility Issues, and “Right to Work.”
What People Don’t Know About You: Rehder was raised in Texas.
——-
Cathy Swan, R-Cape Girardeau –
Education: Southeast Missouri State University
Career Highlights: Businesswoman and member of the coordinating board for higher education.
Key Issues: Education and Healthcare.
What People Don’t Know About You: She is a registered nurse and plays the flute.
