Dreyer officially announces candidacy for 129th District

Joplin attorney Shelly Dreyer officially announced her candidacy today for the Republican nomination for 129th District state representative post currently held by Speaker of the House Ron Richard, R-Joplin. The entry of Mrs. Dreyer guarantees a primary since KZRG personality Mark Kinsley announced his candidacy last month. The following news release was issued by the Dreyer campaign:

Joplin attorney Shelly Dreyer today announced she is running to be the next State Representative for the people of the 129th
Missouri House District in 2010. The district is currently represented by Speaker of the House Ron Richard, who is term-limited. Dreyer, joined by her family, friends, and supporters made the announcement at the Children’s Center in Joplin. She outlined to the crowd how she will continue in Richard’s tradition of leadership.

“I am running to represent the people of the 129th District to continue Speaker Richard’s legacy of conservative, family-centered leadership for the Joplin area,” said Dreyer, a seventh generation Missourian. “My whole career, I have been devoted to fighting for Missouri’s families, and I am ready to take that fight and determination to Jefferson City.”

As a former municipal judge and now an attorney representing Joplin families, Dreyer said she will focus on keeping jobs and bringing more employers to the region, cutting through red tape for small businesses and citizens, making healthcare more available and affordable and making local control and family involvement the cornerstone of our children’s educations.

“To keep our families together, healthy, and safe we need good-paying jobs, affordable healthcare, locally-controlled, quality education, and for government to let us keep more of our hard-earned dollars to spend or save as we see fit,” Dreyer said. “As your state representative, I will continue to fight for our faith, our families, and our freedom.”

Dreyer said she would hold true to traditional values, including standing up for faith, protecting the unborn and defending 2nd
Amendment rights. She also noted her considerable legal experience will enhance her ability to craft legislation that puts Missouri families first as well as lend her early credibility to be a consensus builder.

Born and raised in southwest Missouri, Dreyer earned degrees from Missouri State University in Springfield and the University of Missouri. She became a small business owner at the age of 30 as a partner in her own law firm. Her work on behalf of Missouri families has earned her a place in the prestigious American Association for Justice, as well as the National Association of Professional Women. She was named a 2006 “Up and Coming Lawyer” by Missouri Lawyers Weekly for her commitment to justice for all Missourians.

She now practices law at the Hershewe Law Firm in Joplin. She is an active member of many community organizations, including the Joplin Chamber of Commerce, Joplin Rotary Club, Joplin Federated Republican Women, and the Newton County Republican Women. She has also been active in Big Brothers Big Sisters. An avid runner and outdoorswoman, she has raised more than $6,000 running two marathons for the Arthritis Foundation. Dreyer has been married to her husband Mark, a
videographer, for seven years, and the two recently adopted their first child, daughter Marley. The family attends Forest Park Baptist Church in Joplin.

Dreyer has filed the appropriate paperwork with the Missouri Ethics Commission and will officially file as a candidate with the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office in February of 2010.