Candidates for District 13 state rep seat emphasize public service
By Leah Rainwater
The Missouri House of Representatives District 13 seat covers both Platte and Buchanan counties, and with less than two months until Election Day, there’s still some time left for candidates to get their names and policies out to Missourians.
District 13 incumbent Sean Pouche, a Republican, is facing Democratic challenger Andrea Denning for the seat.
Denning talked about her campaigning efforts so far.
“So I am door knocking, talking to lots of folks,” said Andrea Denning, the Democratic candidate for District 13 state representative. “You know at first, it can be a little bit intimidating to walk up to a stranger’s door and knock, but it’s very fun. People are interested in being heard. I don’t walk up and just start talking about me. It’s not about me, it’s about them and what … what they want going forward in our district.”
Denning is a small business owner and owns Denning Stained Glass in Platte City.
When asked why she’s running for state representative, Denning accredits her parents.
“My parents were very involved in politics in Jackson County, where I grew up. I was born and raised in Kansas City and have always been around here,” Denning said. “I thought politics was a horrible thing … you know, you’re out in the cold passing out information and holding signs and knocking on doors in the cold and in the hot. Little did I know that it was really getting through to me that these things that we were talking to people about was very important to our future.”
Denning has worked on several campaigns, including her mother’s bid for city council, her father’s run for U.S. Congress and Richard Berkley’s second run for mayor of Kansas City.
Denning has also been involved in Platte City Chamber of Commerce, the Platte City Friends of the Arts and sits on the board of the Stained Glass Association of America.
Having spent two terms in the Missouri House of Representatives, Pouche said he’s learned a lot about the district.
“When constituents come to Jeff City, or you know, I see ‘em around functions around here in the district, or even coming in the shop here … and you hear that something that we got through really affected them personally and they’re appreciative of it,” Pouche said. “You know, I think personally, a lot of people have lost track of why they went to Jeff City, or government in general, wherever they’re at, even at the local level … we’re not there to do our bidding. We’re there to help the people that we’re representing.”
When not at the Capitol, Pouche works at his family business, Platte Rental and Supply. Pouche also comes from a military background and currently serves as a commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve.
Pouche’s father, Fred, was elected in 1995 and served in the Missouri House of Representatives for District 30 for six years. He was also the Platte County auditor.
Pouche said if elected another term, there’s one specific bill he wants to make it to the governor’s desk.
“One bill I’m trying to keep working on is insulin and epinephrine costs,” said Pouche. “They’re just sky-rocketed in the last five to six years. President Biden put a cap on it, and unfortunately that’s not for everybody who’s using it. I don’t see why … we provide lots of medications to Missourians and Americans, as it is … you know, Narcan, birth control, whatever the case may be … insulin and epinephrine are things people must have to live.”
The last day to register to vote in Missouri is Oct. 9. Both Denning and Pouche will be on the ballots on Nov. 5.
