Following is an article about Jeanie printed in the Blue Springs Journal.  It is reprinted here with their permission.

Lauer looks to land elevated office
John Beaudoin, Journal Publisher

Just a few years into her first term as a District 1 Blue Springs City Councilman, Jeanie Lauer already has her eyes on higher office.

Lauer, elected in Blue Springs in April 2008, has officially announced her run for the seat of State Rep. Gary Dusenberg (54th District). While her current Blue Springs city council seat runs through April 2011, the election for the 54th District seat, which is being vacated by Dusenberg due to term limits, is in November of 2010. Dusenberg has served four consecutive two-year terms.

“I’ve officially filed the paperwork and we are out raising funds,” she said. “I have declared my candidacy for this spot and I will be formally filing in early 2010. At this point, we are moving ahead.”

Dusenberg is leaning toward running for the termed out seat of 8th District Missouri State Sen. Matt Bartle. He will have to contend with 56th District Rep. Brian Yates and 55th District Rep. Bryan Pratt, both of whom have announced their run for Bartle’s seat.

So far, the only other candidate to announce for the 54th District is John Bullard, who is running as a Democrat. Lauer is running as a Republican.

The 54th District encompasses I-70 north and Highway 291 east to Lafayette County and includes parts of Independence, Blue Springs, Grain Valley and Oak Grove.

Lauer said the timing was right for her to seek higher office.

“Part of it was with Gary being termed out and others have encouraged me to run for this seat,” she said. “I am very passionate about the things that are going on right now and I want to be involved in that.”

She said she has cherished her time as a city councilman in Blue Springs and that there is certainly more work to be done during 2010 while she runs for the state representative seat.

“I enjoy serving the city. It’s not that I am trying to run out of town. But this is an opportunity to pursue the next step,” she said. “Certainly, getting economic development going in Blue Springs is a big deal. Those who are unemployed need an opportunity to be re-trained. We need to see what we can do to get them into other kinds of jobs to get them back into the employment world and getting businesses to understand how those skills transfer as well.”

From Jefferson City, though, Lauer said she could affect even more positive outcomes.

“From a state level, I think it’s time we look at services and programs and waste and where the money can best be spent,” Lauer said. “We know that government agencies have the opportunity to improve processes so that we are using the taxpayer dollar for the best use.”

Lauer said that 2010 should be an exciting year and one of great magnitude.

“I have some very good mentors and I received a lot of support from all kinds of individuals, businesses, organizations, all across the board,” she said. “The 2010 and 2012 election is going to be very critical for the issues we have as citizens on a community and state level.”

Lauer said the key words and phrases to describe her candidacy are “maintain our choices” “higher level of accountability,” and “responsibility.”

Lauer said she hasn’t been endorsed by Dusenberg yet.

“At this point, there is no backing from elected officials because there is still room for a primary,” she said. Dusenberg said he thought Lauer would make a great candidate for the job.

“She’s out in the forefront right now, but there could be other people running,” he said. “She’s a great person and a great candidate, but I’m certainly not endorsing Jeanie. She’s done a good job in the city. But there could be some other people looking at it also.”

To reach Journal publisher John Beaudoin call 816-282-7001 or e-mail jbeaudoin@bluespringsjournal.com