Former Columbia teachers’ union head Steinhoff seeks state House seat

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A retiring Columbia Public Schools teacher and former head of a union representing CPS teachers is running for the Missouri House.

Kathy Steinhoff, a math teacher in Columbia Public Schools who used to head the Columbia Missouri National Education Association, said Tuesday that she is seeking the redrawn 45th House District seat. David Tyson Smith represents the district now, but the districts are being redrawn after the census and Smith will run this year in the new 46th District, Smith said Monday.

Steinhoff's policy priorities will be helping public schools and pushing for gun control.

“As a teacher who has gone through too many classroom shelter-in-place drills, and a volunteer with Moms Demand Action, I’ll go to Jefferson City to protect public education, combat the gun violence epidemic, and fight for social equity for all Missourians,” Steinhoff, who teaches at Hickman High School, said in a news release.

Steinhoff's campaign announcement included endorsements from former state representatives Mary Still and Stephen Webber and former CPS Superintendent Peter Stiepleman.

Steinhoff has not established a campaign committee, according to Missouri Ethics Commission online records. No other candidates have established committees.