Pettis County Assessor Dean Dohrman announces he'll run for open seat in Missouri House of Representatives

Pettis County Assessor Dean Dohrman used Friday’s meeting of the Pettis County Pachyderm Club to announce his intent to run for an open seat in the Missouri House of Representatives.

“I would like you to be the first to know I have decided to run for state representative of the 51st District,” Dohrman said. “I will run on the theme that we need common sense solutions to the problems that we have today; not big government control solutions.”

Dohrman, a Republican, was appointed assessor in 2005 and twice elected in 2006 and 2008. He is seeking a seat in the newly-drawn 51st District, which includes northwestern Pettis County, the eastern half of Warrensburg in Johnson County, and a portion of Saline County that includes the cities of Sweet Springs and Marshall.

Dohrman’s announcement means Pettis County will see an open assessor’s race in the November 2012 general election. Unlike most county officers whose terms begin in January following the general election, Dohrman’s term runs through Aug. 31, 2013.

If elected to the state house, Dohrman will have to resign his position as assessor and the winner of the November election will be appointed to the seat early by the governor — extending the newly elected officer’s term by eight months.

Dohrman, a doctor of political economy, said his budgetary experience as an elected official in lean economic times has given him the skills necessary to help set budgetary priorities for the state.

“The main motivation is I think we are very much in a time of change and a lot has to do with money. We don’t have enough to do to everything. We are facing tough choices and I believe I am qualified to make those choices,” Dohrman said.

He said budget issues “touch on every aspect of state government,” but he would also work to help make local governments operate more efficiently.

“I faced the budget challenges of a recessionary economy and in response, reduced office costs while retaining a full staff and maintaining services. I have the knowledge and experience needed to provide the same sound judgment to statewide government,” Dohrman said in a Friday press release.

A La Monte resident, he is a founding member and serves as secretary and treasurer of Show-Me Honor Flight. He also serves on the Sedalia-Pettis County United Way Board.

He received his bachelor’s in history from the University of Central Missouri in 1989, a master’s in history from UCM in 1991, a master’s in political science from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1999, and a doctorate from UMKC in 2004 completing his research in the field of political economy. In addition to serving as Pettis County assessor, he currently teaches online courses at UCM and is the program coordinator for Applied Social Sciences at Colorado State University-Global Campus.