Ben Keathley is an American politician and lawyer who has served as a member of the Missouri House of Representatives since January 4, 2023. He represents the 101st district, which as of 2022 encompasses a majority of the city of Chesterfield in West St. Louis County, Missouri. Keathley was first elected to the Missouri House of Representatives on November 8, 2022.[1]
Ben Keathley | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Missouri House of Representatives from the 101st district | |
| Assumed office January 4, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Bruce DeGroot |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Benjamin Alan-Kumar Keathley December 29, 1988 St. Louis, Missouri |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | Syracuse University |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
| Website | Official website |
Keathley is a lifelong resident of St. Louis County. He has Indian and Malaysian ancestry through his Mother, who was born in Malaysia.[2]
He graduated from Marquette High School in Chesterfield. He attended Knox College, earning a Bachelor's Degree. Afterwards, Keathley graduated from Law School at Syracuse University College of Law and obtained a Master's degree in Political Science from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Since graduating from Syracuse University, Keathley has worked as an attorney, with his practice based in Chesterfield. In 2017, Keathley was elected to Chesterfield City Council where he served as a council member until 2021. Keathley attends King of Kings Lutheran Church in Chesterfield.[3]
Politics
editChesterfield City Council (2017–2021)
editKeathley was first elected to the Chesterfield City Council as the Ward 2 Council Member on April 4, 2017, winning a four-way race with 43.8% of the vote.[4] In 2019, Keathley was re-elected, receiving 80.08% of the vote on April 2, 2019.[5]
On September 18, 2018, Keathley was the Constitution Day speaker at University of the Incarnate Word, discussing the constitutional role of local government.[6]
Keathley served two terms as chair of the Public Health and Safety Committee for the City of Chesterfield.[7] As a current and former Council Member, Keathley supported body cameras for police officers,[8] opposed a merger of St. Louis City and St. Louis County,[9] and opposed the creation of special taxing districts, such as Tax increment financing districts.[10]
State Representative (2023)
editRepresentative Keathley serves on the following committees:
- Utilities (Vice chairman)
- Professional Registration and Licensing
- Healthcare Reform
- Special Interim Committee on the Earnings Tax
- Subcommittee on Appropriations – General Administration[11]
Electoral history
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Ben Keathley | 9,311 | 52.7 | - | |
| Democratic | Melissa Greenstein | 8,153 | 46.1 | – | |
| Libertarian | Jeff Coleman | 204 | 1.2 | – | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Ben Keathley | 2,477 | 54.8 | ||
| Republican | John Brunner | 2,040 | 45.2 | – | |
References
edit- ^ Ballotpedia. "Ben Keathley". Ballotpedia. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
- ^ Keathley, Sarah (2002). Ben's Baseball Excitement. Dorrance Publishing Co. p. 32. ISBN 978-0805952506.
- ^ Missouri House of Representatives. "Ben Keathley, biography". Missouri House of Representatives. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
- ^ St. Luis County Board of Elections (April 17, 2017). "April 4, 2017 Official Election Results". St. Louis County Government. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
- ^ St. Louis County Board of Elections (April 11, 2019). "April 2, 2019 Official Election Results". St. Louis County Government. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
- ^ Incarnate Word University (September 18, 2018). "Councilman Ben Keathley Speaks at UIW". Incarnate Word University. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
- ^ Missouri House of Representatives. "Ben Keathley biography". Missouri House of Representatives. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
- ^ Shapiro, Mary (June 6, 2017). "Chesterfield police to give body cameras a one-year trial". STL Today. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
- ^ Davis, Chad (January 30, 2019). "Chesterfield Leaders Consider Alternatives To Better Together's St. Louis City-County Merger Plan". STL-NPR. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
- ^ Leny, Cathy (November 7, 2022). "TIF Commission holds public hearing regarding redevelopment plan in Chesterfield". WestNewsMagazine. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
- ^ Missouri House of Representatives. "Ben Keathley – Committee Assignments". Missouri House of Representatives. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
- ^ Ballotpedia. "Ben Keathley". Ballotpedia. Retrieved July 18, 2023.