Steinman to seek vacant Jefferson City Council position

Leonard Steinman is shown in this February 2015 photo.
Leonard Steinman is shown in this February 2015 photo.

Leonard Steinman II wants to join Jefferson City's Council, to fill Glen Costales' Fourth Ward seat.

Costales resigned last week, saying he needed to spend more time in Arkansas with his older brother, Ben, who is in hospice care.

Steinman is the second man to announce his interest in filling the final year of Costales' two-year term.

Ron Fitzwater, the Missouri Pharmacy Association's chief executive officer since June 2002 and a long-time chair of the Cole County Republican Committee - whose three children include state Rep. Travis Fitzwater, R-Holts Summit - already has said he plans to file for the office.

In a hand-written statement Monday, Steinman notes he helped build the house he lives in at 2217 W. Edgewood Drive.

His education includes Thorpe Gordon School, Simonsen Junior High, Lincoln University's former Lab School, Jefferson City High School and the Nichols Career Center.

Steinman also reported taking classes at Lincoln University and Columbia College, as well as classes at colleges in the northwestern United States.

He also has taught heavy equipment operations and bus and truck-driving skills.

Steinman also noted he previously has been a candidate for Jefferson City mayor twice and Missouri governor twice, as well as running twice for Congress, once in the 4th District and later in the 3rd District.

"I ran on my own money" in all of those races, he said.

Steinman said he would bring broad experience to the job.

"I have lived in 37 states and worked in 49 states" in a variety of jobs that have included long-haul truck driving, bus driving, heavy equipment operations, scrap buying and restaurants, he continued.

"I have been successful in every business I started," Steinman said, "without the help of parents, banks, loan companies or friends."

Voters in April will fill the seat for the final year of Costales' term. The council also has a procedure to fill the vacancy for the period between now and April, but has yet to meet to decide if it wants to use that process.