Because of Redistricting, Kelly Announces His Candidacy in House District 45
State Representative Chris Kelly today announced that he will be a candidate for election in District 45 in November 2012. The 45th Legislative District encompasses downtown Columbia, Columbia’s four higher education institutions (University of Missouri, Columbia College, Stephens College, and Moberly Area Community College’s Columbia campus), as well as four of the city’s hospitals (University Hospital, Boone Hospital Center, Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, and the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center).
As Kelly noted, “Columbia, Boone County, its 
economy and its educational institutions have been the focal point of my entire public life. With redistricting, the 2010 map provides me the welcome opportunity to represent the core of our city and to further our collective educational, economic, and cultural aspirations.”
“The seat for which I announce today will in all probability be the last public office that I seek. I am delighted with the opportunity to finish my career where I began—representing the people who make our community the unique and diverse city that we call home.”
“I am honored today to announce my candidacy for election in the 45th district of the Missouri House of Representatives.”
Rep. Kelly has represented southern and western Boone County in the 24th House District since his return to the state legislature in 2008. But like most counties in Missouri, Boone County has seen dramatic changes in its House district boundaries after the Appellate Apportionment Commission released its map on November 30.
Boone County is now divided into five House districts, only two of which—districts 45 and 46—are entirely included within the county. District 44 includes parts of Boone and Randolph counties; District 47 includes parts of Boone, Cooper, Howard and Randolph counties; and District 50 includes parts of Boone, Cole, Cooper and Moniteau counties.
Because district maps were delayed beyond the one-year time limit before the November 2012 election, both new and incumbent candidates for the House of Representatives have the option of running for any district wholly or partially included within their county of residence.
Rep. Kelly faces the choice of which new district to represent with a combination of resignation and optimism. He understands that he cannot continue to represent his current district and the constituents with whom he has developed such a great affinity. At the same time, he looks forward to representing new constituents in the county that he knows and to which he is committed.
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Category: Events, In The News
