Quade to run for Norr's House seat

Crystal Quade announced her candidacy for central Springfield’s House of Representatives’ 132nd District seat in a press release issued Friday.

Quade, a Democrat, currently serves as director of chapter services for Care To Learn, a Springfield-based nonprofit that provides funding for student health, hunger and hygiene needs through 20 chapters in Missouri.

“I have lived in the district for almost eight years now and have been interested [in running] for some time,” Quade said, citing work with both nonprofits and government as sparking her interest in pursuing the seat.

Quade previously worked as an intern for current 132nd Rep. Charlie Norr, D-Springfield, in 2008 while Norr represented Missouri’s 137th District and also for U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill as a staff assistant and constituent services representative. She is a Missouri State University graduate with bachelor’s in social work.

“Living in the district and talking to people, I see there’s a big disconnect between the constituents of the 132nd and government officials,” she said. “What I hope to do is help people realize that they can have a voice in Jefferson City, and there shouldn’t be a divide between the people who are making laws and the people who they are affecting.”

If elected in 2016, Quade would replace Norr, whose fourth term ends in January 2017.

“Crystal is the best person I know to fill my vacancy when I am term-limited out at the end of 2016,” Norr said in the release. “She will serve the people of the 132nd district with knowledge, dedication and professionalism.”