In the Missouri General Assembly, two senators and six representatives have districts that include Independence.
Senators are elected two four-year terms and can serve a maximum of two terms. Representatives are elected to two-year terms and can served a maximum of four terms.
The General Assembly meets from early January through mid-May.
Area senators
• Sen. Victor Callahan, a Democrat from Independence, represents the 11th District, which includes parts of Independence, Sugar Creek and Kansas City. He was elected to the Senate in 2003.
He serves on these committees:
• Commerce, Energy and the Environment
• Economic Development, Tourism and Local Government
• Gubernatorial Appointments
• Small Business, Insurance and Industrial Relations
• Joint Committee on Gaming and Wagering
• Joint Committee on Government Accountability
• Joint Committee on Tax Policy
• Joint Committee on Administrative Rules
• Joint Committee on Legislative Research
• Joint Committee on Corrections
• The Multistate Tax Compact Advisory Committee
Phone: 816-836-2857
Jefferson City office address: State Capitol Building, Room 334, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
Office phone: 573-751-3074
Office fax: 573-751-4551
E-mail: victor_callahan@senate.state.mo.us
• Sen. Matt Bartle, a Republican from Lee’s Summit, represents the 8th District, which includes Blue Springs, most of Lee’s Summit and parts of Independence. He was elected to the Senate in 2002 and previously served two terms in the House.
He is chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He also serves on these committees:
• Seniors, Families and Public Health (vice chair)
• Commerce, Energy and the Environment
• Transportation
• Joint Committee on Court Automation
Phone: 816-305-6288
Jefferson City office address: State Capitol Building, Room 319, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
Office phone: 573-751-1464
Office fax: 573-751-8442
E-mail: matt_bartle@senate.state.mo.us
Representatives
• State Rep. Shalonn “KiKi” Curls, a Democrat from Kansas City, represents the 41st District, which includes part of east Kansas City and part of western Independence. She was elected to the House in 2006.
She serves on these committees:
• Budget
• Appropriations – Health, Mental Health and Social Services
• Joint Committee on Capital Improvements and Leases Oversight
• Special Committee on Family Services
• Special Committee on Small Business
Phone: 816-923-6000
Jefferson City office address: 201 W. Capitol Ave., Room 115H, Jefferson City, MO 65101
Office phone: 573-751-3158
Office fax: 573-526-3969
E-mail: shalonn.curls@house.mo.gov
• State Rep. Paul LeVota, a Democrat from Independence, represents the 52nd District, which includes southeast Independence, the Lakewood area, Unity Village and parts of Raytown and Kansas City. He was first elected to the House in 2002.
He is an the Democrats’ minority floor leader, making him the highest ranking Democrat in the House. He is on the Joint Committee on Legislative Research and is an ex-officio member of all House committees.