Bill Stouffer —
From field to Senate seat

by Kari Weis, posted Dec. 23, 2009

Being a politician was never one of Bill Stouffer’s goals in life. He planned on graduating from the University of Missouri with a degree in agricultural economics, marrying his wife Sue Ellen and continuing to farm in Saline County — all of which he did. However, what this rural kid from Napton, Mo., did not plan on was going from the tractor seat to being the first republican Senator to represent Missouri’s District 21.

Stouffer’s political career began back in 2004 when, he said, he decided it was time to try and make a difference. He won again in 2008 with 64 percent of the vote. Stouffer now represents the counties of Carroll, Chariton, Cooper, Howard, Lafayette, Macon, Ray, Saline and part of Clay. He also serves as chair of the transportation committee and vice chair of the agriculture, food production, and outdoor resources committee.

Aaron Baker,a District 21 voter, ran Stouffer’s campaign in 2004 and is currently his Chief of Staff.

“Senator Stouffer was elected because he wasn’t a slick politician,” Baker said. “He was one of us. He wasn’t the most articulate politician, but he had a background that was respected by many.”

In 1979, MFA Inc., Missouri’s largest farm cooperative, was headed for bankruptcy.  Stouffer, along with other agricultural associates, pulled together to hold a statewide meeting to formulate what some say was one of the biggest financial comebacks in the state’s history. From 1979 to 1995, Stouffer served as chairman of MFA’s Board of Directors.

At his induction to the MFA Hall of Fame, an MFA spokesperson said, “He is a strategic thinker capable of complex analysis, and is not afraid to make difficult decisions. He has a keen ability to press for appropriate action through consensus, not confrontation, by knowing when to end discussion and reach decisions for the good of the cooperative.”

Throughout the past decade, Bill Stouffer has made a few major life changes, as farming and politics are both time consuming jobs. In order to focus more on his district’s people and concerns, he downsized his farm operation. In the spring of 2008, he sold 200 of his cattle along with his farm equipment. Instead, he planted ten acres of pumpkins this year and enjoyed staying involved in the farm.  He said he would wake at 5:30 a.m to tend to the pumpkins and listen to the birds.  It was the one place he could go where there were no worries and no phones.

Stouffer credits his ties to agriculture for his success in politics.

“Ag is an excellent teacher for legislature. It teaches you time management and patience, and just like in the field you plant a seed and wait for it to grow,” he said.

He also continues his connection with his alma mater, University of Missouri, by chairing the university’s Ag Alumni Foundation.

Stouffer believes the time is right for a new challenge: running in the GOP primary in hopes to unseat 17-term Democrat, Ike Skelton. 

Baker believes winning the GOP primary will be difficult, but they have been surprised by the amount of support.

“I am honored to have the support of so many hard working Missourians.  The generosity shown toward our campaign these last six weeks has been truly humbling,” said Stouffer in the same news release.

For more information on Sen. Stouffer, visit his Web site at: http://www.senate.mo.gov/06info/members/mem21.HTM

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