Dean Plocher
2016 - Present
2025
8
Dean Plocher (Republican Party) is a member of the Missouri House of Representatives, representing District 89. He assumed office on January 6, 2016. His current term ends on January 8, 2025.
Plocher (Republican Party) is running for election for Missouri Secretary of State. He is on the ballot in the Republican primary on August 6, 2024.[source]
Plocher also ran for election for Lieutenant Governor of Missouri. He will not appear on the ballot for the Republican primary on August 6, 2024.
Plocher was elected state House majority floor leader on January 6, 2021.[1] Plocher began serving as speaker of the House in 2023.
Biography
Dean Plocher earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Middlebury College and his J.D. from St. Louis University.[2] He previously served as a municipal judge and was on the board of directors for the Missouri Municipal and Associate Circuit Judges Association.[2] Plocher manages his own law firm.[3]
2024 battleground election
Ballotpedia identified the August 6, 2024, Republican primary as a battleground race. The summary below is from our coverage of this election, found here.
Eight candidates are running in the Republican primary for Missouri Secretary of State on August 6, 2024. Four lead in media attention and fundraising: Valentina Gomez (R), Denny Hoskins (R), Dean Plocher (R), and Shane Schoeller (R).
Republican incumbent Jay Ashcroft is running for Governor of Missouri.
Each candidate has said that trust in elections should be a main theme of the race and has proposed different changes to election procedures.
Gomez is a real estate investor who has received national attention for her social media presence.[4][5] Gomez says she would support requiring identification to vote and would remove electronic voting machines, transitioning Missouri “to a secure, transparent paper-based system, addressing concerns of cyber threats, and manipulation.”[6] She also says, “Deploying the National Guard to oversee Missouri's voting polls is a pragmatic step, ensuring impartiality, deterring interference, and bolstering public confidence.”[6]
Hoskins is a member of the Missouri Senate who assumed office in 2017. He served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2009 to 2017. Hoskins says that his involvement in passing legislation requiring identification to vote shows his experience in election reforms and that these changes “have made Missouri’s elections among the most secure in the nation.”[7] He also says he supports counting ballots by hand to increase confidence in elections.[8]
Plocher has been a member of the Missouri House since 2016 and was elected Speaker of the House in 2023. He says that his involvement in passing legislation that requires voter ID also shows his experience in election reforms. Plocher opposes ballot drop boxes, where voters can return their absentee ballots, saying they have been “used by liberals to steal our elections.”[2] He also says he would enforce Missouri citizenship in voting, saying “We must protect the integrity of our elections and only allow those that are legal residents of this state and citizens of this country to participate in Missouri elections.”[2]
Schoeller has been the county clerk for Greene County, Missouri, since 2014. He served in the Missouri House from 2007 to 2013 and was the Republican candidate for the 2012 Missouri Secretary of State election, when Democrat Jason Kander defeated him 48.9% to 47.4%.[9] Schoeller says that, if elected, he would “protect Missouri’s Voter ID law.”[10] He says he opposes ballot drop boxes and that the state should require signature verification for absentee ballots.[10] Schoeller also says he would “stop efforts to allow non-citizens to vote.”[10]
Also running in the primary are Mike Carter (R), Mary Coleman (R), Jamie Corley (R), and Adam Schwadron (R).
Committee assignments
2023-2024
Plocher was assigned to the following committees:
2019-2020
Plocher was assigned to the following committees:
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
Missouri committee assignments, 2017 |
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• Economic Development |
• Utilities, Vice chair |
Sponsored legislation
Elections
2024
Secretary of state
See also: Missouri Secretary of State election, 2024
General election
The primary will occur on August 6, 2024. The general election will occur on November 5, 2024. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Missouri Secretary of State
Haley Jacobson, Barbara Phifer, and Monique Williams are running in the Democratic primary for Missouri Secretary of State on August 6, 2024.
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Missouri Secretary of State
The following candidates are running in the Republican primary for Missouri Secretary of State on August 6, 2024.
Candidate | ||
![]() | Mike Carter | |
![]() | Mary Coleman ![]() | |
![]() | Jamie Corley | |
![]() | Valentina Gomez ![]() | |
![]() | Denny Hoskins | |
![]() | Dean Plocher | |
![]() | Shane Schoeller | |
![]() | Adam Schwadron |
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Caleb Rowden (R)
Libertarian primary election
Libertarian primary for Missouri Secretary of State
Carl Herman Freese is running in the Libertarian primary for Missouri Secretary of State on August 6, 2024.
Candidate | ||
![]() | Carl Herman Freese |
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Polls
- See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls
We provide results for polls that are included in polling aggregation from FiveThirtyEight and RealClearPolitics, when available. We will regularly check for polling aggregation for this race from those sites and add polls here once available. To notify us of polls available on either outlet for this race, please email us.
Election campaign finance
Candidates in this election submitted campaign finance reports to the Missouri Ethics Commission. Click here to access those reports.
Satellite spending
- See also: Satellite spending
Satellite spending describes political spending not controlled by candidates or their campaigns; that is, any political expenditures made by groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with a candidate. This includes spending by political party committees, super PACs, trade associations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups.[11][12][13]
If available, this section includes links to online resources tracking satellite spending in this election. To notify us of a resource to add, email us.
Endorsements
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Lieutenant governor
See also: Missouri lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2024
General election
The primary will occur on August 6, 2024. The general election will occur on November 5, 2024. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of Missouri
Richard Brown and Anastasia Syes are running in the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of Missouri on August 6, 2024.
Candidate | ||
![]() | Richard Brown ![]() | |
![]() | Anastasia Syes ![]() |
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of Missouri
The following candidates are running in the Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of Missouri on August 6, 2024.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Dean Plocher (R)
- Philip Cotrone (R)
- Bob Onder (R)
Libertarian primary election
Libertarian primary for Lieutenant Governor of Missouri
Ken Iverson is running in the Libertarian primary for Lieutenant Governor of Missouri on August 6, 2024.
Candidate | ||
![]() | Ken Iverson |
![]() | ||||
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Endorsements
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State House
Dean Plocher was not able to file for re-election due to term limits.
2022
See also: Missouri House of Representatives elections, 2022
General election
General election for Missouri House of Representatives District 89
Incumbent Dean Plocher defeated Luke Barber in the general election for Missouri House of Representatives District 89 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Dean Plocher (R) | 60.1 | 10,559 |
![]() | Luke Barber (D) ![]() | 39.9 | 7,002 |
Total votes: 17,561 | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Missouri House of Representatives District 89
Luke Barber advanced from the Democratic primary for Missouri House of Representatives District 89 on August 2, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Luke Barber ![]() | 100.0 | 3,062 |
Total votes: 3,062 | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Missouri House of Representatives District 89
Incumbent Dean Plocher advanced from the Republican primary for Missouri House of Representatives District 89 on August 2, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Dean Plocher | 100.0 | 3,766 |
Total votes: 3,766 | ||||
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2020
See also: Missouri House of Representatives elections, 2020
General election
General election for Missouri House of Representatives District 89
Incumbent Dean Plocher defeated Luke Barber in the general election for Missouri House of Representatives District 89 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Dean Plocher (R) | 59.6 | 15,200 |
![]() | Luke Barber (D) ![]() | 40.4 | 10,283 |
Total votes: 25,483 | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Missouri House of Representatives District 89
Luke Barber advanced from the Democratic primary for Missouri House of Representatives District 89 on August 4, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Luke Barber ![]() | 100.0 | 5,683 |
Total votes: 5,683 | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Missouri House of Representatives District 89
Incumbent Dean Plocher advanced from the Republican primary for Missouri House of Representatives District 89 on August 4, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Dean Plocher | 100.0 | 3,410 |
Total votes: 3,410 | ||||
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2018
See also: Missouri House of Representatives elections, 2018
General election
General election for Missouri House of Representatives District 89
Incumbent Dean Plocher defeated Kevin Fitzgerald in the general election for Missouri House of Representatives District 89 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Dean Plocher (R) | 58.4 | 12,922 |
![]() | Kevin Fitzgerald (D) | 41.6 | 9,212 |
Total votes: 22,134 | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Missouri House of Representatives District 89
Kevin Fitzgerald advanced from the Democratic primary for Missouri House of Representatives District 89 on August 7, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Kevin Fitzgerald | 100.0 | 5,222 |
Total votes: 5,222 | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Missouri House of Representatives District 89
Incumbent Dean Plocher advanced from the Republican primary for Missouri House of Representatives District 89 on August 7, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Dean Plocher | 100.0 | 3,979 |
Total votes: 3,979 | ||||
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2016
Elections for the Missouri House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on August 2, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 29, 2016.
Incumbent Dean Plocher defeated Jack Schilligo in the Missouri House of Representatives District 89 general election.[14]
Missouri House of Representatives, District 89 General Election, 2016 | ||||
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Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
Republican | ![]() |
65.10% | 15,310 | |
Democratic | Jack Schilligo | 34.90% | 8,207 | |
Total Votes | 23,517 | |||
Source: Missouri Secretary of State |
Jack Schilligo ran unopposed in the Missouri House of Representatives District 89 Democratic primary.[15][16]
Missouri House of Representatives, District 89 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
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Party | Candidate | |
Democratic | ![]() |
Incumbent Dean Plocher ran unopposed in the Missouri House of Representatives District 89 Republican primary.[17][18]
Missouri House of Representatives, District 89 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
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Party | Candidate | |
Republican | ![]() |
2015
A special election for the position of Missouri House of Representatives District 89 was called for November 3.[19] The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was September 15.[20]
The seat was vacant following John Diehl's (R) resignation on May 14, 2015. He resigned after he admitted to exchanging text messages with an intern that were of a sexual nature.[21]
Al Gerber (D) was defeated by Dean Plocher (R) in the special election.[20][22]
Missouri House of Representatives, District 89, Special Election, 2015 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
Republican | ![]() |
60.2% | 3,462 | |
Democratic | Al Gerber | 39.8% | 2,289 | |
Total Votes | 5,751 |
Campaign themes
2024
Secretary of state
Ballotpedia survey responses
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Campaign ads
Ballotpedia did not come across any campaign ads for Dean Plocher while conducting research on this election. If you are aware of any ads that should be included, please email us.
Lieutenant governor
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Dean Plocher did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2022
Dean Plocher did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
Dean Plocher did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Missouri scorecards, email suggestions to [email protected].
2023
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
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In 2023, the Missouri State Legislature was in session from January 4 to May 12.
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2022
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. |
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In 2022, the Missouri State Legislature was in session from January 5 to May 13.
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2021
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
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In 2021, the Missouri State Legislature was in session from January 6 to May 14.
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2020
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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In 2020, the Missouri State Legislature was in session from January 8 to May 15. A special session was held from July 27 to September 16. A veto session convened on September 16. A second special session convened on November 5.
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2019
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, the Missouri General Assembly was in session from January 9 through May 30
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2018
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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In 2018, the Missouri General Assembly was in session from January 3 through May 18.
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2017
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, the Missouri General Assembly was in session from January 4 through May 12. The legislature held its first special session from May 22 to May 26. The legislature held its second special session from June 12 to July 25. The legislature held a special session on September 13.
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2016
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
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In 2016, the Missouri General Assembly was in session from January 6 through May 13.
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Noteworthy events
Ethics investigation (2023)
During the Missouri House of Representatives 2023 session, Plocher advocated for a private company to be hired to manage constituent information. The contract was considered by some to be significantly more expensive than what would normally be spent, and there were allegations that Plocher was putting inappropriate pressure on approving the contract, including threatening to fire legislative staff members who disagreed.[23]
On October 17, 2023, Plocher fired his chief of staff Kenny Ross. No comments were made by Plocher or Ross about the reason for the firing.[24] The following week, on October 27, the Missouri House Ethics Committee had the first of several meetings to discuss events related to Plocher. The first meeting centered around the dismissal of Ross.[25]
From November 8, 2023 to April 3, 2024, the committee met to discuss the events surrounding the constituent information contract in addition to a series of reimbursements dating back to 2018 that had been submitted by Plocher which had already been reimbursed by his campaign fund. At the time the errors were revealed in October of 2023, Plocher stated, "I am in the process of completing a full review of all expenditures and will correct any additional administrative errors in the spirit of full transparency."[26]
On April 15, 2024, the Ethics Committee released a full report. The report detailed the investigation, including alleged interference and obstruction during the investigation from Plocher and his office. The report also stated that the committee found no explicit wrongdoing regarding the initial ethical concerns, but proposed several measures to prevent their reoccurrence. The committee voted 6-2 not to issue a formal reprimand.[25]
See also
2024 Elections
External links
Candidate Lieutenant Governor of Missouri Missouri Secretary of State Lieutenant Governor of Missouri Missouri Secretary of State |
Officeholder Missouri House of Representatives District 89 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ The Missouri Times, "Vescovo officially elected Speaker of the House," January 6, 2021
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Missouri House of Representatives, "Representative Dean Plocher," accessed May 12, 2024 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>
tag; name "plocher" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Dean Plocher campaign website, "About Dean Plocher," accessed May 12, 2024
- ↑ Valentina Gomez campaign website, "Meet Valentina," accessed May 10, 2024
- ↑ NBC News, "Missouri Republican candidate torches LGBTQ-inclusive books in viral video," February 7, 2024
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Valentina Gomez campaign website, "Turning Visions into Missions," accessed May 10, 2024
- ↑ Denny Hoskins campaign website, "Home," accessed May 10, 2024
- ↑ STLPR, "Secretary of State candidate Hoskins says Missouri should hand count ballots," April 4, 2024
- ↑ County of Greene, "Shane Schoeller," accessed May 12, 2024
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Shane Schoeller campaign website, "Home," accessed May 10, 2024
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Outside Spending," accessed December 12, 2021
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Total Outside Spending by Election Cycle, All Groups," accessed December 12, 2021
- ↑ National Review.com, "Why the Media Hate Super PACs," December 12, 2021
- ↑ Missouri Secretary of State, "2016 general election results," accessed December 20, 2016
- ↑ Missouri Secretary of State, "Certified Candidate List," accessed April 28, 2016
- ↑ Missouri Secretary of State, "State of Missouri - Primary 2016 - August 2, 2016," accessed August 2, 2016
- ↑ Missouri Secretary of State, "Certified Candidate List," accessed April 28, 2016
- ↑ Missouri Secretary of State, "State of Missouri - Primary 2016 - August 2, 2016," accessed August 2, 2016
- ↑ Office of the Missouri Governor, "Gov. Nixon sets Nov. 3 as date for special elections to fill House seats for 29th District, 36th District and 89th District," accessed July 29, 2015
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 Missouri Secretary of State, "Candidate Filing Special Elections November 3, 2015," accessed August 24, 2015
- ↑ kmov.com, "Missouri a House Speaker Resigns after intern text messages," accessed May 14, 2015
- ↑ Missouri Secretary of State, "State of Missouri - Special - Legislative District 89 - November 3, 2015," accessed November 3, 2015
- ↑ Governing, "Missouri House Speaker Faces Ethics Investigation," March 12, 2024
- ↑ Missouri Independent, "Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher fires his chief of staff," October 17, 2023
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 State of Missouri House of Representatives, "In the Matter of Representative Dean Plocher House Ethics Complaint No. 23-01," April 15, 2024
- ↑ Missouri Independent, "Records show Dean Plocher charged the state for travel already paid for by his campaign," October 20, 2023
Political offices | ||
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Preceded by - |
Missouri House of Representatives District 89 2016-Present |
Succeeded by - |
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State of Missouri Jefferson City (capital) |
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