Stephen Webber
Encyclopedia
Stephen Webber is a Democratic
member of the Missouri House of Representatives
, representing the 23rd District. Before taking office, Webber served two tours of duty in Iraq with the United States Marine Corps. He resides in Columbia
.
in 2006.
After returning from Iraq, he worked as an aide to Senator Claire McCaskill
(D-Mo.) in Washington, D.C.
as the member for the 23rd District in the Missouri House of Representatives. Harris, a Democrat, had previously announced he would not run for reelection in order to run for attorney general of Missouri.
Webber defeated opponent Cande Iveson in the August 5, 2008 Democratic primary election, with 3,391 votes to her 1,735, or 66.2 percent to 33.8 percent of the vote.
During the primary campaign, the Columbia Daily Tribune
reported that Webber had received a number of "high-powered endorsements" from "education groups, labor unions and a bevy of Columbia political figures" including former Missouri Governor Roger B. Wilson
. and local democratic booster Bruce Wilson
.
announced a number of legislative initiatives, vowing to increase funding for the University of Missouri, add "robo-calls" to Missouri’s No Call List, increase state restrictions on short-term or "payday" loans, and change Missouri election law to allow early voting.
During his first term as representative, Webber sat on the Rules Committee, a Special Standing Committee on Workforce Development and Workplace Safety, and the Homeland Security Committee.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the Missouri House of Representatives
Missouri House of Representatives
The Missouri House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 163 members, representing districts with an average size of 31,000 residents. House members are elected for two-year terms during general elections held in even-numbered years.In 1992 Missouri...
, representing the 23rd District. Before taking office, Webber served two tours of duty in Iraq with the United States Marine Corps. He resides in Columbia
Columbia, Missouri
Columbia is the fifth-largest city in Missouri, and the largest city in Mid-Missouri. With a population of 108,500 as of the 2010 Census, it is the principal municipality of the Columbia Metropolitan Area, a region of 164,283 residents. The city serves as the county seat of Boone County and as the...
.
Background and education
Webber graduated from Columbia's Hickman High School in 2001. He received his bachelor's degree in economics from Saint Louis UniversitySaint Louis University
Saint Louis University is a private, co-educational Jesuit university located in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Founded in 1818 by the Most Reverend Louis Guillaume Valentin Dubourg SLU is the oldest university west of the Mississippi River. It is one of 28 member institutions of the...
in 2006.
Career
Webber has served two tours of duty in Iraq with the United States Marine Corps. His first tour, which began in 2004 and lasted 15 months, found him stationed outside the now-infamous Abu Graib prison. In 2007, he returned to Iraq, this time to Fallujah, as a squad leader of 12 other Marines.After returning from Iraq, he worked as an aide to Senator Claire McCaskill
Claire McCaskill
Claire Conner McCaskill is the senior United States Senator from Missouri and a member of the Democratic Party. She defeated Republican incumbent Jim Talent in the 2006 U.S. Senate election, by a margin of 49.6% to 47.3%. She is the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate from Missouri in her own...
(D-Mo.) in Washington, D.C.
Democratic primary
On February 19, 2008, Webber announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination to replace Representative Jeff HarrisJeff Harris (Missouri)
Jeff Harris is an attorney and a Missouri Democratic politician. He represented the 23rd District of Missouri in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2003–2009 and ran unsuccessfully for the office of attorney general in 2008. He served as Minority Floor Leader before giving up the post in...
as the member for the 23rd District in the Missouri House of Representatives. Harris, a Democrat, had previously announced he would not run for reelection in order to run for attorney general of Missouri.
Webber defeated opponent Cande Iveson in the August 5, 2008 Democratic primary election, with 3,391 votes to her 1,735, or 66.2 percent to 33.8 percent of the vote.
During the primary campaign, the Columbia Daily Tribune
Columbia Daily Tribune
The Columbia Daily Tribune, commonly referred to as the "Columbia Tribune" or the "Tribune," is one of two daily newspapers in Columbia, Missouri. It is also the only daily newspaper in Columbia, Missouri that has circulation verified by the Audit Bureau of Circulations, and has been a member of...
reported that Webber had received a number of "high-powered endorsements" from "education groups, labor unions and a bevy of Columbia political figures" including former Missouri Governor Roger B. Wilson
Roger B. Wilson
Roger B. Wilson is an American politician who was the 52nd Governor of Missouri from October 16, 2000 to January 8, 2001. He is a Democrat.- Early Life and education :...
. and local democratic booster Bruce Wilson
Bruce Wilson (Democratic booster)
Bruce Wilson is a booster, fund-raiser and activist with the Boone County Democratic Party in Boone County, Missouri. He resides in Columbia with his wife, Nancy Wilson....
.
General election
Webber ran unopposed in the November 4th, 2008 general election, winning 100% of the vote and making him the youngest representative in the state.First term in office
Upon election, Webber and fellow incoming representatives Mary Still and Chris KellyChris Kelly
Chris Kelly is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League . He is an alternate captain for the Bruins during away games.- Minor Hockey :...
announced a number of legislative initiatives, vowing to increase funding for the University of Missouri, add "robo-calls" to Missouri’s No Call List, increase state restrictions on short-term or "payday" loans, and change Missouri election law to allow early voting.
During his first term as representative, Webber sat on the Rules Committee, a Special Standing Committee on Workforce Development and Workplace Safety, and the Homeland Security Committee.