Paul LeVota

Paul LeVota
Member of the Missouri Senate
from the 11th district
In office
January 7, 2013 – August 23, 2015
Preceded by Victor Callahan
Personal details
Born (1968-03-22) March 22, 1968
Kansas City, Missouri
Political party Democratic Party
Spouse(s) Nancy
Residence Independence, Missouri
Alma mater Central Missouri State University, Baker University
Occupation Small Businessman, Consulting
Religion Roman Catholic

Paul LeVota is a former American politician who served as the State Senator from Missouri’s 11th District. This district includes Independence, Sugar Creek, parts of East Kansas City, Buckner, and unincorporated Jackson County. On July 25, 2015 he tendered his resignation from the Missouri Senate effective August 23, 2015.

Biography

Growing up, Paul attended Truman High School in Independence where he served as Student Body President. He then received a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Communications and Political Science from Central Missouri State University (CMSU). Paul was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and held many leadership roles at CMSU, including Student Body Vice President. Later, he received a Masters of Science in Management from Baker University.

Paul served as State Representative for eight years. In the summer of 2007, LeVota was unanimously elected by his peers to serve as the House Democratic Leader. As the highest-ranking member of his party, LeVota was responsible for working with majority and minority leadership in formulating policy, developing strategy and generating support for legislative priorities in the House of Representatives.

During each legislative session, LeVota championed the cause of supporting public education, introduced government accountability measures, and increased constituent outreach. LeVota has been the driving force behind the House Democrat’s “Moving Missouri Forward Plan,” an innovative legislative agenda to improve state government.

Paul was awarded the “Best New Legislator of the Year” by the Show Me Council for Responsibility and Accountability in Government. He has also received “The Hero for Healthcare Award” from the AFT Healthcare Midwest, and was named the “Defender of Patient’s Safety” from Missouri Watch Coalition. In 2006, he was named a “Champion of Justice” from the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys. He was also awarded the Horace Mann Friend of Education Award by Missouri NEA in 2007.

In 2008, Paul was awarded the Missouri Homebuilders Association’s Legislator of the Year, the MS Society Legislator of the Years, and an honor “Doctor of Bio Science” from The Missouri Biotechnology Association. LeVota also received the 2008 James C. Kirkpatrick Excellence in Governance Award from the University of Central Missouri, along with The St. Louis Business Journal 2008 Legislative Award.

Paul received recognition in 2010 from the Missouri Association of Sheltered Workshop Managers for his service to people with disabilities and from the Partnership for Children for his dedication to the betterment of children in Missouri. LeVota has also received distinction as a national delegate to the American Council of Young Political Leaders exchange program with the People’s Republic of China. In addition to monthly newsletters and town hall meetings, Representative LeVota produced a monthly column in local newspapers to exchange ideas and concerns with constituents of the 11th district.

LeVota is a lifelong resident of Independence, Missouri. He has been married to his college sweetheart, Nancy, since 1992. He is the father of two daughters, Meghan, twenty years old and Madeline, eighteen years old. The LeVotas live in the Tomasha subdivision in Independence. Before being elected to the Missouri General Assembly, Paul worked for Sprint in the area of training and development. He is currently working as a small businessman in consulting.

LeVota is a lifelong member of Saint Mark's Catholic Church in Independence, where he is a member of the Knight’s of Columbus, Third Degree. He is a member of Independence Mason Lodge 76 and the Ararat Shrine. He belongs to the Tomasha Home Owner’s Association and the Independence PTA. He is an avid reader and an outdoor sportsman.

Controversy

A female student legislative intern filed a Title IX civil rights complaint, making allegations of sexual harassment against him. Shortly after going public, another intern came forward publicly with photographs of inappropriate text messages she had received from the senator nearly 5 years earlier. [1] After an investigation, LeVota tendered his resignation from the state senate, effective August 23, 2015, so a special election could be called to replace him. Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, a Democrat, and Missouri Democratic Party Chairman Roy Temple, strongly supported LeVota's departure.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Interns accuse Sen. Paul LeVota of Independence of sexual harassment and retaliation". kansascity. Retrieved 2016-04-14.
  2. ↑ Sen. Paul LeVota of Independence resigns amid sexual harassment accusations, Kansas City Star, Steve Kraske and Scott Canon. July 24, 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
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