This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Dec. 2, 2011 - Missouri state Sen. Jane Cunningham, R-Chesterfield, has made it official that she will run for re-election in 2012 -- but in a new district, the 27th. Cunningham's current 7th District is moving to St. Charles and Lincoln counties under the new redistricting map unveilled by a judicial commission this week. Cunningham's new targeted district -- to be moved from elsewhere in the state -- will include much of Chesterfield, Clarkson Valley, Ellisville, Eureka and Arnold.
Cunningham is seeking her second four-year term. She previously served eight years in the Missouri House.
In a statement, Cunningham said she was enthusiastic about the new district. "It's an honor and a privilege to serve the people of Missouri," Cunningham said. "I look forward to continuing my record of common sense conservative leadership in the new 27th Senate District. Through my legislation including the first rejection of Obamacare in the entire nation (Proposition C), we've made great strides, but there is still much more work to be done. I will continue to fight back against out of control spending, job killing taxation, and encroachments upon our freedoms from politicians here and in Washington, D.C."
State Rep. Tim Jones, R-Eureka and the next House speaker, swiftly endorsed Cunningham. So did former state Rep. Allen Icet, R-Wildwood.
Said Jones: "I have enjoyed working with Senator Jane Cunningham on numerous pieces of legislation but we have much left to accomplish. With that in mind, I wholeheartedly endorse Senator Jane Cunningham for the new 27th Senatorial District.
Said Icet: "Without reservation I endorse Jane Cunningham for the new State Senate District. She is a capable and responsive leader that will serve the people of Wildwood and the new 27th Senate District very well," said Icet.
Cunningham is best known for her leading role in the successful August 2010 passage of Proposition C, which seeks to exempt Missouri from many of the new federal health care changes and mandates.
