Kathy Steinhoff is an American politician serving as a member of the Missouri House of Representatives for the 45th district. Elected in November 2022, she assumed office on January 2, 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, she worked as a teacher before entering politics.
Kathy Steinhoff | |
|---|---|
 Steinhoff in 2023 | |
| Member of the Missouri House of Representatives from the 45th district | |
| Assumed office January 4, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | David Tyson Smith |
| Personal details | |
| Born | St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Doug Steinhoff |
| Children | 1 |
| Residence(s) | Columbia, Missouri, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Missouri |
Personal life
editSteinhoff was born in St. Louis, Missouri.[1] She earned a bachelor's degree in math education in 1987 and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction in 1992, both from the University of Missouri.[1][2] Steinhoff later earned the University of Missouri College of Education & Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award at the 55th Annual Awards Banquet in 2023.[3]
Steinhoff resides in Columbia, Missouri, with her husband Doug.[1] She has one child and two stepchildren.[4]
Teaching career
editSteinhoff worked as a math teacher at Columbia Public Schools for 34 years and served as the Hickman High School Mathematics Department Chair before retiring in May 2022.[4] She was certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.[5] Steinhoff was heavily involved in the Columbia chapter of the National Education Association (NEA) and served in many capacities, most notably as its president from 2015 to 2021.[1] She was awarded the NEA Member Benefits Award for Teaching Excellence in 2011.[4] Steinhoff also volunteered as a member of Moms Demand Action, working on numerous political campaigns.[5]
Political career
editOn February 8, 2022, Steinhoff announced her candidacy in the 2022 election to represent the 45th district in the Missouri House of Representatives, pledging to protect public education and combat gun violence.[4][5] She said she was encouraged by people to enter the race after no one had filed to run in her district, which, together with her forthcoming retirement from teaching, created a "perfect storm of timing."[6] Steinhoff was elected to the seat in November after running unopposed in both the Democratic primary and the general election.[6][7]
Soon after her election, Steinhoff appeared at a press conference alongside Daniel Boone Regional Library Workers United union leaders to denounce a rule proposal by Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft which aimed to limit access to library materials by minors.[8] "It is not the role of the library to limit access to materials," Steinhoff said. "Parents should make these decisions about the materials that come into their home."[8]
Steinhoff was sworn in on January 4, 2023.[9] She sponsored three pieces of legislation in February 2023, all pertaining to education.[1] Steinhoff participated in a student-led walkout at Hickman High School to protest gun violence in May before speaking at a rally for gender-affirming care in September, the latter in response to a state law banning gender-affirming care for minors.[10][11]
On October 2, 2023, Steinhoff announced her intention to run for reelection.[12]
Committees
editElectoral history
edit2022
edit| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Kathy Steinhoff | 2,291 | 100.0 | |
| Total votes | 2,291 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Kathy Steinhoff | 6,373 | 99.2 | |
| Write-in | 49 | 0.8 | ||
| Total votes | 6,422 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h "Representative Kathy Steinhoff". Missouri House of Representatives. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- ^ "Mary Steinhoff". Vote Smart. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- ^ "55th Annual Awards Banquet". University of Missouri College of Education & Human Development. March 17, 2023. Archived from the original on May 7, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "CPS teacher Kathy Steinhoff announces run for state representative". The Missouri Times (Press release). February 8, 2022. Archived from the original on May 7, 2022. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
- ^ a b c McKinney, Roger (February 8, 2022). "CPS teacher Kathy Steinhoff declares candidacy for 45th District Missouri House seat". Columbia Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on November 29, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
- ^ a b Walterman, Hunter (December 3, 2023). "Two Democrats run unopposed for House 45 and 46 seats". KOMU. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- ^ McKinney, Roger (November 8, 2022). "These candidates campaigned for every vote — though their victories are sure". Columbia Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- ^ a b Keller, Rudi (November 16, 2022). "Opposition growing to Missouri Secretary of State rules on library materials for children". Missouri Independent. Archived from the original on May 30, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- ^ Hauswirth, Brian (January 5, 2023). "Columbia's Rowden elected as Missouri Senate President; Plank and Steinhoff sworn-in". KSSZ. Archived from the original on January 5, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- ^ Hinson, Nia (April 5, 2023). "Hickman students walk out, call for less gun violence in schools". KMIZ. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- ^ Strzalka, Konrad (September 15, 2023). "Students, community members rally for gender-affirming care". Columbia Missourian. Archived from the original on September 18, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- ^ Sanders, Matthew (October 2, 2023). "Columbia representative Steinhoff to run for reelection". KMIZ. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
- ^ "Election Results | 2022 Primary Election, Tuesday, August 02, 2022" (PDF). Secretary of State of Missouri. p. 21. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 1, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
- ^ "Summary Results Report | November 08, 2022 | General Election" (PDF). Boone County Clerk's Office. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 7, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.