Ballwin Alderman Dogan Latest To Enter State Rep Race

Ballwin Alderman Shamed Dogan, a Republican, announced his intent to run a second time for a seat in the Missouri General Assembly on Wednesday. Dogan's candidacy for Missouri's 98th House district seat currently held by Dwight Scharnhorst, who is term-limited, sets up a possible primary battle with Scharnhorst's wife Rea and Carol Veillette, of Fenton. 

The 98th district includes parts of Ballwin, Ellisville, Fenton and High Ridge, among other areas.

“I am running because I'm tired of Republicans who talk a good game but do little or nothing to promote the values of liberty and smaller government that inspire conservative voters,” Dogan said in a statement announcing his candidacy which also pointed to opposition to the Affordable Care Act and its impact on the state.

In a phone conversation, Dogan said his bid is "a next step forward" in public service, which has included representing his subdivision as a Trustee in addition to serving on the Ballwin Board of Aldermen since 2011.

Dogan lost a 2008 primary campaign against Andrew Koenig for what was then the 88th district house seat.

He said his experience in elected office is one area of distinction in the race.

Veillette lost a three-way primary in 2002 for the former 93rd district seat in the General Assembly. She filed her paperwork for a campaign in August and said she's stayed involved at the grass roots level of politics since her last campaign when she joked, she was "greener than a green fried tomato."

"This time, I'm a little more seasoned and a lot more prepared," she said Wednesday, offering a platform that pledged opposition to government intrusion and Common Core education standards.

Rea Scharnhorst did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment Wednesday, but told The Missouri Times that her experience serving as her husband's Chief of Staff has prepared her for the challenge.

“I know everybody in the district and everybody in the Capitol,” Scharnhorst told the publication in August. “I think I have the experience beyond what a lot of people would have if they live in the district and want to run for state representative.”