Shelley Officially Files for State Representative

Shelley Keeney Seeks to Take Her Experience and Knowledge of the 156th District to Jefferson City

MARBLE HILL—Shelley (White) Keeney of Marble Hill has officially filed to run for Rod Jetton’s seat in the Missouri House.  (Due to term limits Jetton cannot run.)
    “I’ve been working in the district for several years and the last year or so I have had quite a few residents in the district ask me to consider running for the seat,” acknowledged Keeney.  “I have enjoyed getting to listen to our citizens and learn about the important issues affecting our district.”
    “Shelley would be a great representative.  Working for Rod has given her an opportunity to not only meet the people in the district but also she has learned the issues that are important to us,” stated Wayne Johnson of Sedgewickville.  “Anytime we have an issue we just call Shelley and she’s on top of it.  I think we are lucky to have someone who has basically been doing the job for three years and can hit the ground running right from day one.”
    Wayne County resident, Larry Plunkett, Sr. agrees.  “I have known Shelley for the past several years and she is the most qualified person I can think of for the job.
    Raised in southern Bollinger County, Shelley is the daughter of Bill and Phyllis White.  In 2000, she married Matt and moved to Marble Hill where Matt has been a trooper for the Missouri State Highway Patrol since 1996.
Keeney graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a degree in elementary education.  Following college Keeney taught 2nd and 4th grades at Leopold Elementary while obtaining a master’s degree in elementary administration.  Her time teaching showed Shelley how important a good education is and the problems our schools face with educating kids today.  Keeney added, “Funding is important but sometimes money can’t fix every problem.  We need to get parents more involved and make it easier to discipline trouble-makers who constantly disrupt class and negatively impact the opportunity for other children to learn.”
After leaving Leopold, Keeney took a position as the district assistant for Speaker Jetton and Senator Jason Crowell.  Her duties include handling constituent questions, attending community meetings and working with Rod and Jason to understand how any new laws would affect people in the district.
Shelley has received encouragement from State Senator Jason Crowell.  “Shelley has been a great asset to my office as district assistant.  She knows many of the people and is knowledgeable of the issues.  It’s great to see someone with Shelley’s qualities and experience who is willing to serve the public.”
Another person who deals with issues facing residents is Sharon Tinnin of Madison County.  Tinnin remarks, “Shelley has been so helpful any time I have worked with her.  If she doesn’t know something, she is honest about it and will check into the situation and get back to me.”
Keeney feels strongly about protecting both the unborn and the Second Amendment.  She also supports law enforcement’s efforts to protect families and stop the upsurge of meth production. “I was taught conservative values by my parents and will work hard to pass laws that will protect the unborn and help law enforcement put criminals behind bars.  My dad taught me the importance of allowing citizens to have the right to keep and bear arms and I will always support the Second Amendment,” Keeney states.
Shelley has learned a great deal about Missouri government and the legislative process during her time as district assistant.  She wants to put that knowledge to work as the next state representative to stop illegal immigration, strengthen families, as well as improve roads and make sure our area gets its fair share of transportation dollars.
    “I have enjoyed meeting with so many nice people in the district and look forward to meeting many more,” remarked Keeney.  “I have learned that representing people requires hard work and an ability to listen to their concerns.  Nearly everyone I speak with feels my conservative message of cutting taxes and reducing spending is greatly needed.”


The 156th district takes in all of Bollinger and Madison counties and most of Wayne.  Keeney attends Harmony Church in Marble Hill, is a member of the Bollinger County Chamber of Commerce, Marble Hill Women’s Study Club (GFWC), NRA, National Wild Turkey Federation, and the Missouri Farm Bureau.