Ben Kumar Keathley
Ben Keathley in 2021
Member of the Missouri House of Representatives

from the 101st district

Preceded by Bruce DeGroot
Personal details
Born Benjamin Alan-Kumar Keathley

December 29, 1988

St. Louis, Missouri

Political party Republican
Residence Chesterfield, Missouri
Alma mater Syracuse University
Occupation Lawyer
Website www.benkeathley.com

Ben Keathley is an American politician and lawyer who has served as a member of the Missouri House of Representatives since January 4, 2023. He represents the 101st district, which as of 2022 encompasses a majority of the city of Chesterfield in West St. Louis County, Missouri. Keathley was first elected to the Missouri House of Representatives on November 8, 2022.

Early life, education and career

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Keathley is a lifelong resident of St. Louis County. He has Malaysian ancestry through his Mother, who was born in Malaysia.[1] He graduated from Marquette High School in Chesterfield. He attended Knox College, earning a Bachelor's Degree. Afterwards, Keathley graduated from Law School at Syracuse University College of Law and obtained a Masters Degree in Political Science from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Since graduating from Syracuse University, Keathley has worked as an attorney, with his practice based in Chesterfield. In 2017, Keathley was elected to Chesterfield City Council where he served as a council member until 2021. Keathley attends King of Kings Lutheran Church in Chesterfield.[2]

Politics

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Chesterfield City Council (2017-2021)

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Keathley was first elected to the Chesterfield City Council as the Ward 2 Council Member on April 4, 2017, winning a four-way race with 43.8% of the vote.[3] In 2019, Keathley was re-elected, receiving 80.08% of the vote on April 2, 2019.[4]

On September 18, 2018, Keathley was the Constitution Day speaker at University of the Incarnate Word, discussing the constitutional role of local government.[5]

Keathley served two terms as chair of the Public Health and Safety Committee for the City of Chesterfield.[6] As a current and former Council Member, Keathley supported body cameras for police officers[7], opposed a merger of St. Louis City and St. Louis County[8], and opposed the creation of special taxing districts, such as Tax increment financing districts[9].

State Representative (2023)

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Representative Keathley serves on the following committees:[10]

  • Utilities (Vice Chairman)
  • Professional Registration and Licensing
  • Healthcare Reform
  • Subcommittee on Appropriations - General Administration

Electoral history

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Missouri House of Representatives Election, November 8, 2022, District 101
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Ben Keathley 9,311 52.7 -
Democratic Melissa Greenstein 8,153 46.1 -
Libertarian Jeff Coleman 204 1.2 -
Missouri House of Representatives Primary Election, August 2, 2022, District 101
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Ben Keathley 2,477 54.8
Republican John Brunner 2,040 45.2 -

[11]