JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Clarissa Denkler has worked as a legislative assistant in the Missouri Capitol for 14 sessions for two different legislators.
She currently works for Rep. Anne Zerr, R-St. Charles. Much of her position consists of coordinating with representatives and organizing for the committee Zerr has chaired for four years — Economic Development. This is much different when Zerr was working with a representative from Webster Groves whose main committee was Elementary and Secondary Education.
Although Denkler had an accounting background before she was hired, she said she had previous experience fielding constituent questions. Many of the calls she gets for Zerr she passes along to the appropriate agency, including requests for information on social services and Federal Emergency Management Agency inquiries because of St. Charles’ proximity of the Missouri River, but sometimes one of those calls gets converted into legislation. An example is Zerr’s hunting bill from last year inspired by a constituent whose husband was killed in a hunting accident.
Denkler is originally from Arkansas but has lived in Jefferson City for 30 years. In her off hours, she likes to travel. Her favorite stops have been in the American west, particularly Utah and Arizona.
She has been married 23 years to Joe Denkler. Their 18-year-old daughter Hannah is about to graduate high school. She is still making up her mind about college but is leaning towards Truman State University.
