Ben Keathley Explained

Ben Keathley
Office:Member of the Missouri House of Representatives from the 101st district
Term Start:January 4, 2023
Predecessor:Bruce DeGroot
Birth Name:Benjamin Alan-Kumar Keathley
Birth Date: December 29, 1988
Birth Place:St. Louis, Missouri
Party:Republican
Alma Mater:Syracuse University
Occupation:Lawyer

Ben Keathley is an American politician and lawyer who has served as a member of the Missouri House of Representatives since January 4, 2023. He represents the 101st district, which as of 2022 encompasses a majority of the city of Chesterfield in West St. Louis County, Missouri. Keathley was first elected to the Missouri House of Representatives on November 8, 2022.[1]

Keathley is a lifelong resident of St. Louis County. He has Indian and Malaysian ancestry through his Mother, who was born in Malaysia.[2]

He graduated from Marquette High School in Chesterfield. He attended Knox College, earning a Bachelor's Degree. Afterwards, Keathley graduated from Law School at Syracuse University College of Law and obtained a Master's degree in Political Science from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Since graduating from Syracuse University, Keathley has worked as an attorney, with his practice based in Chesterfield. In 2017, Keathley was elected to Chesterfield City Council where he served as a council member until 2021. Keathley attends King of Kings Lutheran Church in Chesterfield.[3]

Politics

Chesterfield City Council (2017–2021)

Keathley was first elected to the Chesterfield City Council as the Ward 2 Council Member on April 4, 2017, winning a four-way race with 43.8% of the vote.[4] In 2019, Keathley was re-elected, receiving 80.08% of the vote on April 2, 2019.[5]

On September 18, 2018, Keathley was the Constitution Day speaker at University of the Incarnate Word, discussing the constitutional role of local government.[6]

Keathley served two terms as chair of the Public Health and Safety Committee for the City of Chesterfield.[7] As a current and former Council Member, Keathley supported body cameras for police officers,[8] opposed a merger of St. Louis City and St. Louis County,[9] and opposed the creation of special taxing districts, such as Tax increment financing districts.[10]

State Representative (2023)

Representative Keathley serves on the following committees:

Electoral history

Party!Candidate!Votes!%!±%
RepublicanBen Keathley9,31152.7-
DemocraticMelissa Greenstein8,15346.1
LibertarianJeff Coleman2041.2
Party!Candidate!Votes!%!±%
RepublicanBen Keathley2,47754.8
RepublicanJohn Brunner2,04045.2
[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ballotpedia . Ben Keathley . July 18, 2023 . Ballotpedia.
  2. Book: Keathley, Sarah . Ben's Baseball Excitement . Dorrance Publishing Co. . 2002 . 978-0805952506 . 32 . English.
  3. Web site: Missouri House of Representatives . Ben Keathley, biography . July 18, 2023 . Missouri House of Representatives.
  4. Web site: St. Luis County Board of Elections . April 17, 2017 . April 4, 2017 Official Election Results . July 18, 2023 . St. Louis County Government.
  5. Web site: St. Louis County Board of Elections . April 11, 2019 . April 2, 2019 Official Election Results . July 18, 2023 . St. Louis County Government.
  6. Web site: Incarnate Word University . September 18, 2018 . Councilman Ben Keathley Speaks at UIW . July 18, 2023 . Incarnate Word University.
  7. Web site: Missouri House of Representatives . Ben Keathley biography . July 18, 2023 . Missouri House of Representatives.
  8. Web site: Shapiro . Mary . June 6, 2017 . Chesterfield police to give body cameras a one-year trial . July 18, 2023 . STL Today.
  9. Web site: Davis . Chad . January 30, 2019 . Chesterfield Leaders Consider Alternatives To Better Together's St. Louis City-County Merger Plan . July 18, 2023 . STL-NPR.
  10. Web site: Leny . Cathy . November 7, 2022 . TIF Commission holds public hearing regarding redevelopment plan in Chesterfield . July 18, 2023 . WestNewsMagazine.
  11. Web site: Missouri House of Representatives . Ben Keathley – Committee Assignments . July 18, 2023 . Missouri House of Representatives.
  12. Web site: Ballotpedia . Ben Keathley . July 18, 2023 . Ballotpedia.