Andrew Koenig (politician)

Andrew P. Koenig (born December 21, 1982) is an American politician who since 2017 has served in the Missouri Senate.[1] Koenig is a former member of the Missouri House of Representatives as well as a small business owner.[2] He represented the 88th district from 2009 to 2012 and the 99th district, which includes Manchester, Twin Oaks, Valley Park, and parts of Fenton, from 2013 to 2017.[3] Koenig was elected in 2017 and re-elected in 2020 to serve as the State Senator from the 15th district.

Andrew Koenig
Member of the Missouri Senate
from the 15th district
Assumed office
2017
Preceded byEric Schmitt
Member of the Missouri House of Representatives
from the 99th district
In office
2013–2017
Preceded byMike Sutherland
Succeeded byJean Evans
Member of the Missouri House of Representatives
from the 88th district
In office
2009–2013
Preceded byNeal C. St. Onge
Succeeded byJill Schupp
Personal details
Born (1982-12-21) December 21, 1982
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Brooke Koenig
Children3
ResidenceManchester, Missouri, U.S.
Alma materLindenwood University
Occupation
WebsiteCampaign website

Early life and career

Koenig graduated from Marquette High School, which is in Chesterfield, in 2001.[3] He later went to Lindenwood University with a scholarship in cross country.[4] He majored in Business Administration and Minored in philosophy.[4]

He has co-owned a paint company with his father since 1997.[4] He is also the owner of a construction company which focuses on roofing and painting. In addition, he is also a licensed insurance adjuster.[3]

Political career

In 2008, Koenig successfully ran to represent the 88th district in the Missouri House of Representatives.[5] In the Republican primary, he defeated Shamed Dogan and Chris Howard with 44.4% of the vote.[6] Koenig was unopposed in the general election.[5] In his 2010 reelection campaign, he was opposed in the primary by Ryan B. Meyer.[7] Koenig won the primary with 88.4% of the vote and then was unopposed in the general election.[7] He was one of 35 state representatives to sign a "no new taxes" pledge.[8] Koenig won a third term in 2012 with 59.2% of the vote, against Democrat William Pinkston.[9] He won a fourth term in 2014 with 63.5% of the vote, against Democrat William Pinkston.[10] In 2016 he was elected as State Senator from the 15th District, defeating Rick Stream in the Republican primary 53.1% to 46.9%, and Democrat Stephen Eagleton 61.1% to 38.9%.[11]

Committee assignments
  • Health and Pensions (Vice-Chairman)
  • Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence
  • Seniors, Families and Children
  • Small Business and Industry
  • Ways and Means (Chairman)
  • Joint Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect
  • Joint Committee on Education
  • Joint Committee on Public Employee Retirement (Vice-Chairman)
  • Joint Committee on Tax Policy

Abortion Legislation

As a state senator, Koenig has sponsored or co-sponsored a number of bills to restrict legal abortions, 7 as of the 2019 session.[12][13][14] Notably, Koenig is opposed to exceptions for rape or incest. Bills sponsored include 'heartbeat' legislation banning abortions after a heartbeat is detected[15][16] and a blanket ban on abortions after 8 weeks, including for Down Syndrome.[17] In the 2019 session, Koenig was responsible for handling the passage of HB 126 in the State Senate,[18] a bill which bans abortions after 8 weeks in all cases except medical emergency with penalties of 5-15 years in prison.[19]

Promoting Creation Science/Intelligent Design in public schools

As a representative, Koenig made several legislative attempts to inject creation science into the public school Science curricula, specifically in the fields of Biology and Chemistry. On May 15, 2015, the Koenig-sponsored House Bill No. 486 was allowed to die in committee after the Legislature adjourned. Bill No. 486, which was introduced as an Amendment to Section A. Chapter 170, RSMo in the First Regular Session of the 98th General Assembly of the Missouri State House of Representatives, proposed allowing teachers the freedom to introduce "differences of opinion about controversial issues, including biological and chemical evolution."[20] Key to this provision was language preventing responsible educational authorities from intervening in the teaching of creationist ideals presented as scientific inquiry.

According to the National Center for Science Education, Koenig was the sponsor of similar bills, namely: HB 1587 in 2014, HB 179 in 2013, HB 1276 in 2012, and HB 195 in 2011. All failed. Koenig also cosponsored House Bill 1472 in 2014, requiring equal time for "intelligent design" in Missouri's public schools, including introductory courses at colleges and universities. He cosponsored the similar HB 291 in 2013 and HB 1227 in 2012; both failed.

Electoral history
2016 General Election for Missouri's 15th District Senate
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Andrew Koenig 62,988 61.05
Democratic Stephen Eagleton 40,193 38.95
2014 General Election for Missouri’s 99th District House of Representatives
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Andrew Koenig 6,961 63.5
Democratic William Pinkston 3,996 36.5
2012 General Election for Missouri’s 99th District House of Representatives
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Andrew Koenig 10,755 59.2
Democratic William Pinkston 7,405 40.8
2010 General Election for Missouri’s 88th District House of Representatives
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Andrew Koenig 10,582 98.0
2008 General Election for Missouri’s 88th District House of Representatives
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Andrew Koenig 14,814 97.9

References
  1. https://www.senate.mo.gov/mem15/
  2. http://www.congress.org/bio/id/21242
  3. http://house.mo.gov/bio.aspx?year=2013&district=099
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-07-10. Retrieved 2011-01-08.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. http://www.stlouisco.com/elections/ERESULTS/el1108/el45.html
  6. http://www.stlouisco.com/elections/ERESULTS/el0808/806final.htm
  7. http://www.stlouisco.com/elections/ERESULTS/el100803/summary.htm
  8. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-11-23. Retrieved 2011-02-16.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. http://enrarchives.sos.mo.gov/enrnet
  11. https://ballotpedia.org/Missouri_State_Senate_District_15
  12. https://www.senate.mo.gov/19info/bts_web/sponsoredby.aspx?SessionType=R&legislatorid=212
  13. https://www.senate.mo.gov/18info/bts_web/sponsoredby.aspx?SessionType=R&legislatorid=212
  14. https://www.senate.mo.gov/17info/bts_web/sponsoredby.aspx?SessionType=R&legislatorid=212
  15. https://www.senate.mo.gov/18info/bts_web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=69471915
  16. https://www.senate.mo.gov/17info/bts_web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=59402333
  17. https://www.senate.mo.gov/19info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=1926664
  18. https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/abortion-debate-timeline-of-filibuster-uneasy-compromise-that-led-to/article_d51d4ec0-7741-11e9-baac-cfedaed17117.html
  19. https://www.legiscan.com/MO/bill/HB126/2019
  20. http://ncse.com/news/search?taxonomy_vocabulary_2_tid=39&taxonomy_vocabulary_3_tid=All&keys=
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