Betsy Fogle announces bid for Missouri Senate seat

State Rep. Betsy Fogle, D-Springfield, is running for a state Senate seat.

Fogle, who was first elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 2020 and retained her seat in November, announced her candidacy for the state Senate's District 30 seat on social media this morning.

"Springfield has always been and will always be my home. I have spent my career working to make my hometown the best place to live, work and raise a family," she said in her announcement. "Today, I am announcing my intention to continue that fight in the Missouri state Senate. I hope you will join me in my effort to elect the only Democratic senator in the southern half of Missouri."

Fogle, who additionally works as AFL-CIO community service labor liaison for United Way of the Ozarks, has focused her efforts in the House on health care access, poverty, safety and education issues, according to past reporting.

The seat Fogle is seeking in the state Senate is currently held by Sen. Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield, who is terming out next year.

State Rep. Melanie Stinnett, R-Springfield, also recently announced her bid for the District 30 seat.