Crystal Quade

Crystal Quade (born August 16, 1985)^[1] is an American politician who currently serves as Minority Leader in the Missouri House of Representatives, representing the 132nd district. She is a member of the Democratic Party.

Crystal Quade
Minority Leader of the Missouri House of Representatives
Incumbent
Assumed office January 9, 2019
Preceded by	Gina Mitten (acting)
Member of the Missouri House of Representatives from the 132nd district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 2017
Preceded by	Charlie Norr
Personal details
Born	(1985-08-16) August 16, 1985 (age 39) Missouri, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Kevin Waterland
Children	3
Education	Missouri State University (BA)
Website	Campaign website House website

On July 9, 2023, Quade announced her candidacy in the 2024 Missouri gubernatorial election.^[2]

Education and early career

Quade was the first person in her immediate family to graduate from high school.^[3] She graduated from Missouri State University with a bachelor's degree in social work. Quade developed a strong interest in politics after taking a college course in policy,^[4] and after graduating from college, Quade worked as a legislative staff member for then-U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill.^[5][6] Prior to being elected to a seat in the Missouri House of Representatives, Quade was the former chapter services director of Care to Learn,^[5] a non-profit organization that provides funding to address health, hunger, and hygiene needs of schoolchildren in multiple Missouri public school districts.^[7]

Legislative career

Elections

In 2016, then-Missouri State Representative Charlie Norr did not seek re-election. Two Democrats, two Republicans, and one Libertarian filed to run in the 2016 race in the 132nd Missouri state representative district.^[8] Quade defeated Bob Sweere in the Democratic primary to win the Democratic nomination, and Quade defeated Republican nominee Thomas Quinn and Libertarian nominee Chris Burros by receiving 5,215 votes to Quinn's 4,243 votes to Burros's 521 votes.^[8][9]

In 2018, Quade ran for re-election in the 132nd Missouri state representative district, winning the Democratic primary unopposed and running against Republican nominee Sarah Semple in the general election.^[8] Quade was re-elected by receiving 5,383 votes to Semple's 2,982 votes.^[8]

Quade was endorsed by Missouri AFL-CIO in her run for Governor.^[10]

Tenure

As a state legislator, Quade serves on the Budget Committee and the Committee on Government Efficiencies, as well as the Missouri General Assembly's Joint Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect.^[5] In September 2017, less than a full year after being sworn into office, Quade was elected vice chairperson of the minority caucus of the Missouri House of Representatives by her Democratic colleagues.^[11]

Following the 2018 state legislative elections in Missouri, Quade was elected Minority Leader of the Missouri House of Representatives for the 2019 Missouri legislative session.^[12]

Electoral history

Missouri House of Representatives Primary Election, August 2, 2016, District 132^[13]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Crystal Quade	901	63.81%
	Democratic	Bob Sweere	511	36.19%
Total votes			1,412	100.00%

Missouri House of Representatives Election, November 8, 2016, District 132^[14]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Crystal Quade	5,215	52.26%
	Republican	Thomas Quinn	4,243	42.52%
	Libertarian	Chris Burros	521	5.22%
Total votes			9,979	100.00%

Missouri House of Representatives Election, November 6, 2018, District 132^[15]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Crystal Quade	5,383	64.35%	+12.09
	Republican	Sarah Semple	2,982	35.65%	−6.87
Total votes			8,365	100.00%

Missouri House of Representatives Election, November 3, 2020, District 132^[16]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Crystal Quade	6,289	59.28%	−5.07
	Republican	Sarah Semple	4,320	40.72%	+5.07
Total votes			10,609	100.00%

Missouri House of Representatives Election, November 8, 2022, District 132^[17]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Crystal Quade	3,968	56.34%	−2.94
	Republican	Stephanos Freeman	3,075	43.66%	+2.94
Total votes			7,043	100.00%

References

1. Gounley, Thomas (July 23, 2016). "Meet the candidates: Quade, Sweere compete in District 132 Democratic primary". Springfield News-Leader. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
2. Rosenbaum, Jason (July 9, 2023). "House Minority Leader Quade makes it official: She's running for Missouri governor". St. Louis Public Radio.
3. "Meet Crystal". Crystal Quade. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
4. Brashers, Hannah. "Missouri State Representative Crystal Quade: How One Badass Progressive Is Making Trouble in a State Capitol Deep in T***p-land". Got a Girl Crush. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
5. "Representative Crystal Quade". Missouri House of Representatives. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
6. Gounley, Thomas. "Meet the candidates: Quade, Sweere compete in District 132 Democratic primary". Springfield News-Leader. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
7. "About". Care to Learn. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
8. "Crystal Quade". Ballotpedia. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
9. "State of Missouri - Election Night Results". Missouri Secretary of State. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
10. Alpert, Lynn (October 2, 2023). "Labor-endorsed gubernatorial candidate Crystal Quade hosts first St. Louis campaign fundraiser, asks for support". The Labor Tribune. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
11. Schmitt, Will. "Springfield Democratic Rep. Quade named to leadership position in rookie year". Springfield News-Leader. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
12. Bologna, Giacomo. "Crystal Quade to be next minority leader of Missouri House of Representatives". Springfield News-Leader. Retrieved April 14, 2019.
13. "Election Results; Official Election Returns" (PDF). Missouri Secretary of State. August 25, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
14. "Election Results; Official Election Returns" (PDF). Missouri Secretary of State. December 7, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
15. "Election Results; Official Election Returns" (PDF). Missouri Secretary of State. November 3, 2018. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
16. "Election Results; Unofficial Election Returns" (PDF). Missouri Secretary of State. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
17. "Election Results; Official Election Returns" (PDF). Missouri Secretary of State. December 9, 2022. Retrieved February 25, 2023.

External links

• Crystal Quade for Governor campaign website
• Representative Crystal Quade legislative website
• Profile at Vote Smart

Missouri House of Representatives
Preceded by Gina Mitten Acting	Minority Leader of the Missouri House of Representatives 2019–present	Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by Nicole Galloway	Democratic nominee for Governor of Missouri 2024	Most recent