Keough files for 125th District seat in House

Carla Nitsche-Keough traveled to Jefferson City to file as a democratic candidate for the Missouri House of Representatives in the 125th District. Since filing, Keough has been visiting with voters throughout the district, which is all of Vernon County and the western two-thirds of Bates County. Keough is the daughter of the late Myrle and Clydene Nitsche, of Butler. Carla makes her home on West 52, Butler, with her husband John Keough, licensed psychologist. She has four children, Amanda, Amy, Vanessa, and Clemente. Carla was raised on a farm in Bates County, educated in Butler schools -- having graduated in 1976, and attended Missouri State University, formerly SMSU.

Keough is well-known throughout the community and is actively involved with the youth, seniors, and businesses, as well as many other service organizations to include: Butler Senior Citizens Center Board (vice chairman), American Cancer Society/Relay for Life, Butler Rotary, Bates County Career Women, past president), Butler Chamber of Commerce (Past Board Member), Nevada/ Vernon County Area Chamber of Commerce, Farm Bureau Member, NRA Member, Bates County Youth Advocacy, Bates County Democrat Women, Vernon County Democrat Women, Life Sustaining Member of the Bates County Museum, Past Band Booster President/Athletic Booster Member, First Female FFA Student (1972), First Bates County Fair Queen (1973), Member of the First Christian Church-Butler, and is an active school mother.

(Advertisement)

As the campaign is strongly underway, Keough is pleased to announce the following endorsements to date: Missouri AFL-CIO- Jefferson City, Mo.; Missouri State U.A.W. Community Action Program- Hazelwood, Mo.; Missouri State Council of Fire Fighters- St. Louis, Mo.; and the Taxpayers Unlimited, Inc./International Association of Fire Fighters Local 42, Terry J. Clark- Osage Township Board Member- Rich Hill, Mo., and retired Senator Harold Caskey. Retired Senator Harold L. Caskey, a 28 year legislative veteran commented, "Before you can become a good leader you must become a good listener, Carla is that kind of person. She has the ability to hear and understand what working families need. She has dedicated herself to help the elderly, the children, the disabled, and our working families."

Keough says she is excited about serving the people of Bates and Vernon counties as state representative. She believes a representative should listen carefully to her constituents. Keough's experience in working with community leaders and sitting on boards and committees provides her with a unique ability to work with all people seeking solutions to everyday problems.

Keough says she will be standing up for the working family, supporting public schools- not vouchers, providing affordable and accessible healthcare, protecting our gun rights, and improving markets for Missouri farmers.

Keough is the lone Democrat on the Aug. 5 ballot.

In November, she will face the lone Republican who has filed for that office, Barney Fisher, of Richards who currently serves the district in the Missouri House of Representatives.

Elected in 2004, Fisher served on the appropriations/agriculture and natural resources committee, was vice chairman of the special committee on veterans, vice chairman of the special committee on Agribusiness, served on the special committee on workforce development and workplace safety, and the special committee on retirement during his last term.

Fisher spent 21 years in the United States Marine Corps as a fighter pilot and retired as lieutenant colonel in 1993. He taught in Wellsville public schools for three years.

Fisher is a member of the Nevada/Vernon County Area Chamber of Commerce, the National Rifle Association, Vietnam Veterans Association, Marine Corps Association and the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity.