Sara Michael, a Jefferson City attorney, filed Wednesday as a candidate for the Missouri House of Representatives 60th District seat currently held by state Rep. Jay Barnes, who is term limited.
Michael is a Democrat, and her filing creates an Aug. 7 primary contest with Kevin Nelson.
She is an attorney and has practiced in Jefferson City since 1996.
Michael is a managing partner at the Carver & Michael law firm, since 2009, and previously was a managing member at the Hendren & Andrae law firm.
In a news release, she said she has devoted her legal practice to "assisting Jefferson City families through what many would consider the most stressful days a family can face, giving guidance and counsel to parents and always working hard to put the needs of children first."
About her candidacy, Michael said: "I've always been committed to helping people find solutions to their problems, both big and small. There is a wide variety of problems facing local families. I want to spend my energy addressing those issues, to include state employee pay rates, the education of our children and the lack of mental health services available in our state."
Michael serves as a public member of the Missouri State Committee of Marital & Family Therapists and has served on the Cole County Juvenile Advisory Board, Rape and Abuse Crisis Service Board, and on the executive council of the Missouri Bar's Family Law Section.
She is a past president of the Cole County Bar Association.
Michael's two children attend Helias High School and St. Peter Interparish School, and she serves on the St. Peter Interparish Home and School Association.