Senator Eric S. Schmitt received his B.A. cum laude from Truman State University. While at Truman, Sen. Schmitt participated in varsity football and baseball and founded a Habitat for Humanity Chapter on campus. He earned a scholarship to attend law school at Saint Louis University where he received his J.D., was an Editor of the Law Review and a published author.

In addition to his legislative duties, Sen. Schmitt is also a partner at the law firm of Lathrop & Gage, LLP. Sen. Schmitt serves on Boards for DeSmet Jesuit High School, Nurses for Newborns Foundation, St. Louis Crisis Nursery, and a local Parents as Teachers Program. Sen. Schmitt served as chairman of the Young Lawyer Section Council of the Missouri Bar and spearheaded a statewide Giving Tree effort benefiting Big Brothers-Big Sisters and created a Special Needs Advocacy Task Force. He has also been involved with the TS (Tuberous Sclerosis) Alliance, the Gateway Chapter of the Autism Society, Habitat for Humanity and local Chambers of Commerce.

Sen. Schmitt served as a Glendale, Missouri Alderman from 2005-08 and was elected to the Missouri Senate on November 4, 2008 to represent the 15th District in St. Louis County, that includes all or parts of Affton, Shrewsbury, Grantwood Village, Webster Groves, Glendale, Warson Woods, Oakland, Crestwood, Kirkwood, Valley Park, Fenton, Twin Oaks, Manchester, and Ballwin.

Sen. Schmitt's recent Awards include: St. Louis County Bar Association’s Outstanding Young Lawyer Award, 2010; St. Louis Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 class, 2010; St. Louis Business Journal’s Legislative Award, 2010, 2011; St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association’s Lewis and Clark Statesman Award, 2009, 2010 & 2011; Missouri Chamber’s Spirit of Enterprise Award, 2011; Missouri Homebuilders Association of St. Louis and Eastern Missouri’s Legislative Award, 2010; Judicial Conference of Missouri Award, 2010; Associated Industries of Missouri’s Friend of Manufacturing & Industry Award, 2010, 2011; Missouri Association of County Developmental Disabilities Services President’s Award, 2010; Thompson Foundation for Autism’s Appreciation Award, 2010; National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Committee Statesperson Award, 2010; Missouri Community College Association’s Distinguished Legislator Award, 2011; and the Missouri Economic Development Financing Association’s Outstanding Legislator of the Year Award, 2011.

Sen. Schmitt's legislative priorities include growing our economy with quality jobs; making health care more available, affordable, and portable; and keeping a watchful eye on the issue of property taxes. He is also committed to quality educational opportunities for all Missourians and serving as an advocate for children and adults with special needs and their families. Sen. Schmitt serves in Senate Leadership as Majority Caucus Secretary and is Chairman of the Jobs, Economic Development and Local Government Committee.

Sen. Eric Schmitt is a lifelong resident of St. Louis County. He lives in Glendale with his wife, Jaime, and their three children, Stephen, Sophia and Olivia.