By Mirella Flores
Stacey Newman is the Missouri State Representative of District 87. Representative Newman was first appointed to the chamber in 2009, when she replaced Steve Brown who resigned after pleading guilty to federal conspiracy charges.
Rep. Newman’s career have primarily focused fighting gun violence, voter’s rights, and reproductive justice. Before starting her public service career, Rep. Newman earned a Bachelors in Theater and Education from Emporia State University.
Upon graduation, Rep. Newman worked for Trans World Airlines for 14 years as a flight crew member. Upon her early retirement from Trans World Airlines in 1992, Rep. Newman first became involved politically after the Columbine High School and Los Angeles day care shooting. Rep. Newman started working closely with Missouri Governor Bob Holden and the Million Mom March for three years to stop Missouri’s conceal and carry law. Rep. Newman’s work on fighting gun violence has also included sponsoring legislation for universal background checks on all gun sales, restricting felons and domestic violence abusers from processing guns, and gun violence restraining orders (click here to read her 2016 bills).
As stated above, Rep. Newman is also a leader in fighting against voter suppression. As a ranking member of the House Elections Committee, Rep. Newman has been actively fighting against efforts to require photo identification. Rep. Newman also works with Denise Lieberman, senior attorney with the national Advancement Project, to fight back bills and constitutional amendments which would prevent over 250,000 current registered Missourians from voting.
Rep. Newman’s work has not been limited to legislature. She was also the founding member/executive director for both Harriet’s List Political Action Committee (PAC) and the Missouri Women’s Coalition PAC– both organizations are dedicated to electing progressive women to legislative office and influencing the women’s vote. In 2010, Rep. Newman founded ProgressWomen, a national blog that works to engage women who have not been politically active but care deeply about progressive issues.