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Dean Plocher

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Dean Plocher
Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 4, 2023
Preceded byRob Vescovo
Majority Leader of the Missouri House of Representatives
In office
January 6, 2021 – January 4, 2023
Preceded byRob Vescovo
Succeeded byJonathan Patterson
Member of the Missouri House of Representatives
from the 89th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 6, 2016
Preceded byJohn Diehl
Personal details
Born (1970-03-11) March 11, 1970 (age 54)
Des Peres, Missouri, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseRebecca Plocher
Children2
EducationMiddlebury College (BA)
Saint Louis University (JD)

Dean Plocher (born March 11, 1970) is an American politician who has served in the Missouri House of Representatives from the 89th district since 2016.[1][2] He was elected speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives on January 4, 2023[3] and is currently running for Missouri Secretary of State.[4][5][6]

Personal life

[edit]

Dean Plocher is a sixth generation Missourian and a lifelong resident of St. Louis County.[7] He is married to Rebecca Plocher, with whom he has two children.[8][9]

Education

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Plocher graduated from Ladue Horton Watkins High School. He earned a B.A. in political science with a minor in Classical Civilizations from Middlebury College. He obtained his J.D. in 1997 from Saint Louis University School of Law, where he also received a Certificate in International and Comparative Law.[10][11]

Professional career

[edit]

Before attending law school, Plocher worked in the financial management industry with Franklin Templeton.[12][13] Following law school, he worked for a small law firm with an emphasis on real estate matters before starting his own law firm.[9] Plocher served as a Municipal Judge in the 21st Judicial Circuit and served on the board of directors for the Missouri Municipal and Associate Circuit Judges Association.[2]

Political career

[edit]

In 2015, Plocher was elected to the House in a special election to represent the 89th district, triggered by the resignation of then-Speaker John Diehl.[14][15][6] In 2020, he was selected to serve as the majority floor leader for the Missouri House of Representatives, pursuing the position based on his experience in the General Laws Committee.[16] In 2023, Plocher was unanimously selected to serve as the Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives.[14] Later that year, Plocher initially announced a run for Missouri Lieutenant Governor;[17][18][19] however, following the withdrawal of Caleb Rowden from the Missouri Secretary of State race, he switched and filed for Secretary of State.[4][5][13]

Political Positions

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Marie Watkins Oliver

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In April 2024, Plocher sponsored House Resolution 4926, leading to the induction of Marie Watkins Oliver, the "Betsy Ross of Missouri," into the Hall of Famous Missourians. Despite a monument being constructed to honor her years ago, it had never been displayed until this resolution. Plocher highlighted Oliver's significant contributions to Missouri's cultural heritage and her role in designing the Missouri state flag. He emphasized her dedication to preserving and promoting the state's history, underscoring her impact on Missouri's historical and cultural landscape.[20][21]

Tax-Cuts

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In 2023, Dean Plocher advocated for further tax cuts in response to Missouri's substantial budget surplus, emphasizing the importance of returning surplus funds to taxpayers.[22]

Second Amendment Rights

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Plocher helped pass Missouri's Second Amendment Preservation Act. The law bars local law enforcement from enforcing federal firearms regulations considered unconstitutional by the state. This includes laws on firearm registration, restrictions on firearm sales, and certain limitations on gun ownership.[23][24]

Property Taxes

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Plocher established a special committee to reform property taxes in Missouri in response to citizens experiencing extreme increases in their property tax bills.[25]

Israel

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In May 2024, the Missouri House of Representatives passed a resolution urging the U.S. government to continue its support for Israel. The resolution emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship, highlighting shared values and mutual benefits. Representative Dean Plocher supported the resolution, underscoring the strategic and democratic alliance between the two nations and advocating for sustained political and military aid to Israel.[26]

Election Integrity

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Plocher supports paper ballots but opposes switching from machine counting to hand counting, as he believes machine error rates don't warrant it. He has backed a House-approved bill requiring proof of citizenship on Missouri driver's licenses for voting.[13]

Reproductive Rights

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Plocher supports maintaining Missouri's laws that restrict abortions.[27]

Immigration

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Plocher supports enforcing stricter deportation measures in Missouri, defunding "sanctuary cities," and proposing a state law to align with federal regulations, making it illegal to reside in Missouri unlawfully.[23]

LGBT Rights

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Plocher voiced support for Senate Bill 49 and Senate Bill 39. Senate Bill 49 prohibits doctors from prescribing cross-sex hormones, puberty blockers, or performing gender transition surgeries on individuals under 18, and Senate Bill 39 requires athletes to compete based on their biological sex, with allowances for female students joining male teams if no equivalent exists.[28]

Awards

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In January 2023, the Missouri Pork Association honored Representative Dean Plocher with the "Legislator of the Year" award. This recognition was given for his consistent support and advocacy for Missouri's pork producers and the agricultural industry.[29]

Criticism

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In October 2023, Missouri senators called for Plocher's resignation following accusations that he had filed false expense reports and pushed for an $800,000 contract with a private company to handle constituent information without following the normal bidding process. Plocher began repaying reimbursements and attributed the expense reports to an accounting error.[30] Concerns were also raised by a congressional staff member who reported feeling intimidated by Plocher, and by the past chief of staff who had served three previous speakers before being terminated by Plocher.[31] Plocher accused the committee of drawing out the investigation, while committee chair Hannah Kelly accused Plocher of attempting to block the live-streaming of hearings. After a seven-month investigation, the House Ethics Committee dismissed the complaints against Plocher on a bipartisan 7–2 vote, with one Democrat voting present.[32][33] the committee could find no credible evidence that Plocher made threats to fellow Representatives or their staff.[34]

In November 2023, Plocher announced that he had hired Rod Jetton, previous speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives and author of books about biblical teachings and how to recover from personal crisis, as chief of staff. The action was criticized as insulting towards victims of domestic violence, as Jetton was previously convicted of misdemeanor assault for "recklessly caused serious physical injury" to an unnamed woman during a sexual encounter.[35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43]

Plocher has also been criticized for a $60,000 renovation in the Missouri State Capitol. Half of the funds were spent on repairs to walls, baseboards, and ceilings, and the other half on new furnishings. The renovation aimed to align with the Missouri State Capitol Commission's 2019 master plan to restore the office and House chamber to their original historical significance while incorporating updated technology and energy-efficient infrastructure. However, the project faced criticism for the inclusion of a "butler's pantry," a makeshift storage room stocked with liquor, beer, wine, and soda, as well as concerns about the shortage of ADA-compliant workspaces in the building, a lack of transparency in the use of House operating funds, and the expense of custom furnishings.[44]

Democrats in the House questioned Plocher's motivations in appointing representative Sarah Unsicker to the Special Committee on Government Accountability following her ejection from the Democrat Caucus and committee assignments due to accusations of Antisemitism.[45]

Electoral history

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Missouri House of Representatives Special Election, November 3, 2015, District 89[46]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dean Plocher 3,462 60.20% −6.14
Democratic Al Gerber 2,289 39.80% +6.14
Total votes 5,751 100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives Election, November 8, 2016, District 89[47]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dean Plocher 15,310 65.10% +4.90
Democratic Jack Schilligo 8,207 34.90% −4.90
Total votes 23,517 100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives Election, November 6, 2018, District 89[48]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dean Plocher 12,922 58.38% −6.72
Democratic Kevin FitzGerald 9,212 41.62% +6.72
Total votes 22,134 100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives Election, November 3, 2020, District 89[49]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dean Plocher 15,200 59.65% +1.27
Democratic Luke Barber 10,283 40.35% −1.27
Total votes 25,483 100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives Election, November 8, 2022, District 89[50]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dean Plocher 10,559 60.13% +0.48
Democratic Luke Barber 7,002 39.87% −0.48
Total votes 17,561 100.00%

References

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  1. ^ Mark Schlinkmann (2015-11-03). "GOP's Dean Plocher wins race to succeed Diehl". Stltoday.com. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
  2. ^ a b "Representative Dean Plocher". House.mo.gov. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
  3. ^ "Nominations for Speaker" (PDF). Journal of the House. January 4, 2023. p. 9.
  4. ^ a b "Dean Plocher I Missouri Secretary of State". Dean Plocher I Missouri Secretary of State. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  5. ^ a b Griffin, Marshall (2024-03-26). "Plocher switches races, files to run for Missouri Secretary of State". Missourinet. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  6. ^ a b Hancock, Jason (March 26, 2024). "Embattled Missouri House speaker switches races, now running for secretary of state". Missouri Independent. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  7. ^ Franklin, Danielle Mae (2018-09-12). "OUTSTANDING FRESHMEN 2018: Rep. Dean Plocher". The Missouri Times. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  8. ^ Dunn, Rachael Herndon (2018-12-21). "Behind the lawmakers: Rebecca Plocher, wife of Rep. Dean Plocher". The Missouri Times. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  9. ^ a b "About I Dean Plocher for Missouri Secretary of State". Dean Plocher I Missouri Secretary of State. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  10. ^ "Representative Dean Plocher". house.mo.gov. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  11. ^ Franklin, Danielle Mae (2018-09-12). "OUTSTANDING FRESHMEN 2018: Rep. Dean Plocher". The Missouri Times. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  12. ^ Franklin, Danielle Mae (2018-09-12). "OUTSTANDING FRESHMEN 2018: Rep. Dean Plocher". The Missouri Times. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  13. ^ a b c "Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher says secretary of state best fits his experience". STLPR. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  14. ^ a b Mueller, Joe (2021-09-15). "Plocher to rise from floor leader to speaker of Missouri House in 2023". The Heartlander. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  15. ^ Hancock, Jason. "Embattled Missouri House speaker switches races to run for secretary of state". Springfield News-Leader. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  16. ^ Schallhorn, Kaitlyn (2020-11-04). "Plocher chosen to be next House Majority Floor Leader". The Missouri Times. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  17. ^ Hancock, Jason (2023-10-11). "Dean Plocher officially joins GOP primary for Missouri lieutenant governor". Missouri Independent. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  18. ^ Release, Press (2023-10-11). "Press Release: Speaker of the House Dean Plocher announces bid for Lieutenant Governor". The Missouri Times. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  19. ^ Shiner, Ryan (2023-10-11). "Plocher announces bid for lieutenant governor". ABC17NEWS. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  20. ^ "Missouri House of Representatives - Bill Information for HR4926". house.mo.gov. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
  21. ^ Nelson, Alisa (2024-04-15). "'Betsy Ross of Missouri' inducted into Hall of Famous Missourians". Missourinet. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
  22. ^ Jason Hancock; Rudi Keller (2023-01-04). "New Missouri House speaker says massive budget surplus should mean more tax cuts". Missouri Independent. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  23. ^ a b "Issues I Dean Plocher for Missouri Secretary of State". Dean Plocher I Missouri Secretary of State. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  24. ^ "Supreme Court refuses to reinstate Missouri Second Amendment law". SCOTUSblog. 2023-10-20. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  25. ^ Williams, Daniel (2024-06-12). "Speaker Plocher, House Members Complete 18 Stop "End of Session" Tour". Ozark Radio News. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  26. ^ Byrd, Katie (2024-05-07). "Missouri resolution asks US government to continue Israel support". KCTV5. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  27. ^ "Missouri House speaker tours the state discussing latest legislative session". KSMU Radio. 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  28. ^ Nelson, Alisa (2023-05-15). "Top Missouri House leaders talk about transgender bills passing". Missourinet. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  29. ^ "Missouri Pork Association Presents Award to Representative Dean Plocher". Farm Journal's Pork. February 10, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  30. ^ Hancock, Jason (2023-10-26). "Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher dismisses calls for his resignation". Missouri Independent. Retrieved 2023-11-10.
  31. ^ Hancock, Jason (October 17, 2023). "Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher fires his chief of staff". Missouri Independent. Retrieved 2023-11-10.
  32. ^ Ballentine, Summer (April 29, 2024). "Ethics committee dismisses complaint against Missouri Speaker". Columbia Missourian. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  33. ^ "Ethics complaint dismissed against Missouri's House Speaker". 93.9 The Eagle. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  34. ^ Guest (2024-06-10). "House Speaker Dean Plocher "trumps" ethics victory on campaign trail". The Missouri Times. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  35. ^ "Update: Felony assault charge filed against former Speaker Rod Jetton". Archived from the original on 2009-12-13.
  36. ^ Primebuzz blog at the Kansas City Star website. Accessed December 8, 2009.
  37. ^ Rosenbaum, Jason. "A Missouri Power Broker's Fall: Rod Jetton's New Book Raises Questions About Politics". Retrieved 2018-04-11.
  38. ^ Jenkins, Kevin R. "Rod Jetton isn't afraid to say he's sorry". Daily Journal Online. Retrieved 2018-04-11.
  39. ^ Hancock, Jason (2023-11-09). "Rod Jetton's political career ended in scandal. Now he's Dean Plocher's chief of staff". Missouri Independent. Retrieved 2023-11-10.
  40. ^ "SBJ names Rodney Jetton Top Local Sales & Marketing Executive for Southwest Missouri". LakeExpo.com. Retrieved 2018-04-11.
  41. ^ "Rod Jetton discusses his downfall, says he's returning to his religious upbringing". seMissourian.com. 2011-07-31. Retrieved 2018-04-11.
  42. ^ "Former House Speaker Rod Jetton returns to Missouri capital as news publisher". kansascity. Archived from the original on 2018-04-27. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
  43. ^ Messenger, Tony. "Messenger: From Jetton to Greitens, a lesson in the political perils of pride". stltoday.com. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
  44. ^ Hancock, Jason (2023-12-20). "In a statehouse short on space, Dean Plocher converted an office into a liquor 'pantry'". Missouri Independent. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
  45. ^ Suntrup, Jack (2024-01-11). "Republican Missouri House Speaker names embattled Democrat to government accountability panel". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
  46. ^ "All Results; Official Results". Missouri Secretary of State. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  47. ^ "All Results; Official Results". Missouri Secretary of State. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  48. ^ "All Results; Official Results". Missouri Secretary of State. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  49. ^ "Election Results; Official Election Returns" (PDF). Missouri Secretary of State. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
  50. ^ "Election Results; Official Election Returns" (PDF). Missouri Secretary of State. December 9, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
Missouri House of Representatives
Preceded by Majority Leader of the Missouri House of Representatives
2021–2023 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives
2023–present 		Incumbent
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