Senator Wes Shoemyer (District 18)
Representative Wes Shoemyer is a third generation family farmer still living in the house he grew up in and operating the family farm along side his father and brother-in-law in Monroe and Shelby Counties.
Born March 30, 1961 in Hannibal, Missouri Shomeyer is a 1979 graduate of South Shelby County R-IV High School. Shoemyer also attended the University of Missouri-Columbia. He attends Oak Grove Baptist Church and is a member of Shelbina Lodge #228.
Wes married Cheryl Allen on October 10, 1980. They have four children, Wendy, Laura, Amy and Andrew.
Shoemyer is a recipient of the American Farmer degree from FFA, a member of the NEMO Grain Processors, National Farmers Organization and Missouri Farmers Union, Institute for Rural America, Ozark Mountain Pork Processing Plant, and has served as vice president for the Monroe County Farm Bureau.
Shoemyer first ran for the House in 1996 against incumbent Sam Leake. In 2000 Shoemyer ran against Republican Jamie Ebbesmeyer and won, becoming the next in a long line of Democrats to represent the 9th House District in the Missouri House of Representatives.
In 2000 the 9th House district consisted of all of Ralls and Monroe Counties and parts of Pike, Shelby, Audrain and Lincoln Counties. After redistricting in 2002 the 9th House district currently encompasses all of Howard County with parts of Audrain, Boone, Chariton and Monroe.
Shoemyer comes from a long line of farmers and teachers. Agriculture and the education of our young people have always been significant parts of Shoemyer’s life. He is a founding member of the Missouri Farmers Union. In 1999, Shoemyer was instrumental in getting 1,000 farmers to Jefferson City to lobby the legislature on HB888; the bill that created the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority. (Offering Missouri farmers tax credits for working together to create value added businesses; such as Missouri’s budding ethanol and bio-diesel industries).
For a map of the 18th Senatorial District, click here
