Republican incumbent Mike Bernskoetter has won his third term for the 59th District seat in the Missouri House of Representatives.
Bernskoetter received 8,807 votes, or 89 percent, to win the seat, outpacing Libertarian candidate Michael Eberle, who had 1,139 votes.
In Cole County, Bernskoetter won with 8,395 votes, whereas Eberle had 1,081 votes, according to unofficial results. There were 29 write-in votes and Bernskoetter received 88.32 percent of the votes cast in the county.
In Miller County, Bernskoetter received 412 votes, or 87.66 percent of the votes cast in the county. Eberle received 58 votes in Miller.
"It is very humbling that the people of the 59th District re-elected me," Bernskoetter said about his win." "We do a lot of work before the election by talking to people, going to picnics, and going to festivals. It is really an honor and a privilege to represent the people in the 59th District."
The 59th District encompasses parts of Miller and Cole counties. Bernskoetter, who was first elected to the House in November 2010, defines the position as a job that involves "weighing the advantages and disadvantages of new legislation and working with other legislators and the executive branch to pass bills that benefit Missourians," he wrote in an email.
The three issues affecting his district the most are keeping the local economy strong, ensuring a good education for children and helping increase state employee pay, he said.
Bernskoetter, 54, has lived his entire life in Cole County and is married with four children and two grandchildren, according to his website. He and his wife own Art's Pest Control. He enjoys hunting, fishing, playing basketball and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He is involved in the Wardsville Lions, Holy Name Society, Knights of Columbus, Home Builders Association, Jefferson City Area Board of Realtors, Missouri and National Pest Management Associations.
Bernskoetter has also worked for the Cole County Highway Department, the Sewer Department, and served on the Helias School Board for six years.
He said he became interested in the office because he wanted to give back to the community that has given so much to him and his family.
"I'm a small-business owner that understands how hard it is to keep a business running while providing for my family and employees," Bernskoetter said. "My duties are to listen and respond to the needs of constituents in the 59th District."
He also said that representatives are responsible for "establishing the state's priorities through the budget process, crafting and repealing laws and providing oversight to the executive branch when necessary."
Bernskoetter is pro-life candidate, who claims to not have ever voted to cut funding to elementary or secondary schooling. On his website, he said he will strongly reject any legislation that infringes on Second Amendment rights. He does not support government-provided health care, but does support empowering farmers to keep them important to the local economy.
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