News Archive

Term Limits Leave Open Seat; 4 Candidates In Aug. 5 Primary

With State Rep. Kathlyn Fares, R-Webster Groves, term limited out of office after eight years, two Democrats and a pair of Republicans have mounted strong campaigns leading to the Aug. 5 primary.

The 91st District of the Missouri House of Representatives takes in most of Webster Groves, all of Glendale, Oakland and Shrewsbury. Since 1977 the House seat has been held by a series of women legislators: Marion Cairns, Emmy McClelland and, most recently, Kathlyn Fares.

Two familiar names will appear on the Aug. 5 ballot in the Republican Primary. Joan McGivney served on both the Webster Groves City Council and the Webster Groves Board of Education. Randy Jotte just completed a term on the Webster Groves City Council.

On the Democratic side, a strong advocate for gun violence prevention, Jeanne Kirkton, is a current member of the Webster Groves City Council. Katherine Bruckner, a Shrewsbury resident, supports citizens' rights to defend themselves. Bruckner recently acquired her carry and conceal permit.

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Jeanne Kirkton, current Webster Groves City Council member, is running for the Democratic nomination for State Representative, District 91.

Kirkton is a Missouri native. She and her husband, Larry King M.D., have lived in Webster Groves for 28 years. Kirkton holds a degree in nursing from Maryville University, a diploma from Barnes Hospital School of Nurse Anesthesia, and a bachelor's degree in history and political science from Webster University.

"I think there's a lot I can bring to the table in Jefferson City with my experience as a nurse and a local politician," said Kirkton.

Kirkton has served as president and board member of the Jefferson Township Democratic Club and on the state board of the League of Women Voters of Missouri, and is a member of the Missouri Association of Social Welfare.

Kirkton said she enjoys meeting voters as she goes door to door to campaign for the 91st District seat.

"If I have to pick one thing about campaigning that I like the most, it's meeting the voters at their door," she said. "I hear people talk about health care, and how it's becoming so unaffordable. I'm hearing about property taxes, which is such a complicated issue. Property taxes so strongly support our schools, but one of the main problems is, the way houses are assessed across the state is so unfair and inequitable."

Kirkton said she, like most in the Webster Groves community, is a proponent of a clean environment. She is on the board of the Open Space Council of Greater St. Louis, and chair of the Missouri State Parks Advisory Board. She serves as council liaison to the Webster Groves Sustainability Commission, which seeks to reduce environmental impacts within the community.

Kirkton was also past leader of the St. Louis Million Mom March against gun violence.

"I spent a lot of time in Jefferson City on the concealed weapons issue, trying to stop that," said Kirkton. "I worked very strongly against that law."

Kirkton said she has raised approximately $60,000 toward her campaign.