Born and raised in the 98th District, in Franklin County, Missouri, Mary Jo was raised to believe that faith and family always comes first.
Mary Jo is the daughter of Al and Bernice (Hanneken) Straatmann. She was raised on a small family farm in Villa Ridge, Missouri, and then moved to Union, Missouri in 1990. Mary Jo's father maintained the family's small herd of dairy cattle and worked as a handyman. Her father was also the caretaker and custodian at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Villa Ridge. Mary Jo's mother stayed at home working to raise their eight children, of which Mary Jo is the youngest. Her mother still lives on the family farm. Life on the farm taught Mary Jo responsibility as well as the meaning of an honest day's work, which instilled in her a strong work ethic. Her parents, having lived through the Depression, raised their children to understand the value of a dollar.
Mary Jo attended parochial school at St. John the Baptist Catholic School, graduated from St. Francis Borgia High School, Washington, Missouri, and is a graduate of East Central College in Union, Missouri. Later, Mary Jo continued her education taking evening courses at St. Louis Community College at Meramec and graduated as a paralegal. Following her time at East Central College, Mary Jo accepted a position working in the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney's Office for the Child Support Enforcement Division. Her time spent at the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney's Office taught Mary Jo the importance of public service and ways in which government could positively impact the lives of ordinary individuals.
Later, Mary Jo followed Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Daryl K. Hartley, when he opened his own practice in Union, and later when he merged with the firm of Baylard, Billington, Dempsey, & Jensen also in Union. As an important part of Hartley's team as a paralegal, Mary Jo works on a variety of issues including probate, adoptions and family law matters.
Mary Jo is a lifelong member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Villa Ridge, Missouri. Mary Jo is also a member of the Daughters of Isabella at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, in Union, Missouri. Mary Jo is an active member of the Union Rotary Club and currently serves as the Club's Treasurer. Mary Jo is a member of the County Seat Senior Center Foundation Board. Mary Jo is an honorary member of the Missouri Child Support Enforcement Association where she previously served as a Regional Director and Treasurer. Mary Jo is a member of the Union Chamber of Commerce, St. Clair Chamber of Commerce, St. Louis Paralegal Association, and the Franklin County Democrat Club.
As a candidate, Mary Jo receives support from both Republicans and Democrats. She will use her ability to reach across the aisle and her bi-partisan approach to issues in an effort to find practical and common sense solutions to problems. Mary Jo is committed to fighting for job creation and greater economic development that increases the quality of life and future of the 98th House District and Franklin County. Mary Jo is ready to go to work for the people in the 98th House District, Franklin County, and the entire State of Missouri.
As your State Representative, Mary Jo immediately will get to work on a number of issues important to the district, including: supporting affordable, quality education at all levels; standing up for the working families; standing up for the family farmers and small-farm operators; maintaining, preserving and protecting our natural resources and habitat; encouraging economic development and higher paying job growth in the 98th District and neighboring Districts as well; and advocating for increasing access to affordable and quality health care for individuals, families, children and the elderly.
Most importantly, Mary Jo will work to solve Missouri's most difficult issues through ingenuity, innovation and creativity as opposed to increasing the taxes of hard working Missourians during these tough economic times. Mary Jo will also work to make our government more efficient, effective and accountable.
To learn more about Mary Jo's campaign go to http://www.maryjostraatmann.com.