JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Paul LeVota took the oath of office today to serve the 11th Senatorial District. He was sworn in during the opening day ceremony for the First Regular Session of the 97th General Assembly. Senator LeVota won election to the upper chamber of the Missouri Legislature in November 2012.

“It’s a privilege and an honor to serve as the voice of the 11th District in the Missouri Senate,” said Sen. LeVota. “There are many challenges ahead, from high unemployment to struggling schools. And hard-working families across the state are looking to the Legislature for solutions. It’s critical we find balanced approaches to these issues, and embrace responsible measures that will create opportunities for all families, for all businesses in Missouri.”

Senator LeVota served four terms in the Missouri House of Representatives, representing the 52nd District, which includes parts of Jackson County. He was unanimously elected Minority Floor Leader of the House, and served in the position from 2007 to 2010.

During his time in the House, LeVota worked across the aisle to craft common-sense solutions to problems facing the state. It was this bipartisan approach that helped earn him James C. Kirkpatrick Excellence in Governance Award and the Friend of Education Award from the Missouri National Education Association, among others. 

Senator LeVota will serve the 11th Senatorial District, which includes parts of Jackson County.

For more information on Sen. LeVota and his sponsored legislation for the 2013 session, visit his Missouri Senate webpage at www.senate.mo.gov/levota.