Senator Chuck Purgason represents the 33rd District in the Missouri Senate, which includes Camden, Howell, Laclede, Oregon, Shannon, Texas and Wright counties. Elected to the Missouri Senate in 2004 and re-elected in 2008, Sen. Purgason previously served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 1996 through 2004.

Senator Purgason was born in West Plains, Missouri, on May 19, 1960, and graduated from West Plains High School in 1978. In addition to his legislative duties, Sen. Purgason is the founder and owner of Ozark Wings Hatchery and Hunting Preserve. He resides on the family farm with his wife, Janet, and three children, Robert, Tracey, and Cory.

Senator Purgason held a leadership position in the House Republican Caucus as Majority Whip. He also served as chairman of the Committee on Appropriations for Health, Mental Health, and Social Services, as well as serving on the Rules Committee and Workforce Development and Workplace Safety Committee. He was also a senior member of the Budget Committee.

Since his election to the Senate, Sen. Purgason has served as vice-chair of the Pensions, Veterans' Affairs and General Laws Committee and as a member of the Gubernatorial Appointments Committee, the Medicaid Reform Commission, and the Interim Committee on Availability, Affordability and Wellness Promotion in Healthcare. He currently serves on the following committees:

• Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight, Chairman
• Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources
• Appropriations
• Ways and Means
• Select Committee on Oversight of Federal Stimulus

Senator Purgason is a member of the Laclede County Community Drug Issues Task Force, West Plains Chamber of Commerce, Mountain View Chamber of Commerce, Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce, National Federation of Independent Business, Missouri Bow Hunters Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited, and the Missouri Cattlemen's Association. He attends the First Baptist Church of West Plains.

Awards and honors presented to Sen. Purgason include:

• National Multiple Sclerosis Association's Committed Statesman Award, 2004
• Farm Bureau Friend of Agriculture, 1998, 2000, 2002 & 2004
• Chief Deputy Whip, Republican Caucus, 2001
• Assistant Whip, Republican Caucus, 1998
• Outstanding Freshman Legislator for Government Accountability, 1997