Three New Members Sworn Into the Missouri House of Representatives

The Missouri House of Representatives welcomed three new members. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau, Mark Parkinson, R-St. Charles, and Michele Kratky, D-St. Louis, became the newest members of the Missouri House of Representatives. Although a new member this session, Representative Mary Kasten is no stranger to the Missouri House. She served in the House from 1983 until 2001 representing the 158th district. Rep. Kasten has also served as a member of the Cape Girardeau School Board for 20 years and she founded the Community Caring Council in addition to other service. Representative Michele Kratky was elected to fill the seat previously held by her husband Fred Kratky in the 65th district. Rep. Kratky previously worked as the Legislative Director for the St. Louis Association of REALTORS. Representative Mark Parkinson is also a veteran of Missouri politics. Rep. Parkinson, elected to fill an open seat in the 16th district, volunteered for Senator John Ashcroft's reelection campaign, and then worked in the Senate offices of Christopher "Kit" Bond and John Ashcroft. With the new members, there are now 91 Republican House members and 70 Democratic members. Two seats remain vacant - districts 18 and 70. Elections for these open seats and all House seats will be held this November.