Senator David Pearce, a Republican, represents District 21 in the Missouri Senate, which covers Caldwell, Carroll, Howard, Johnson, Lafayette, Livingston, Ray and Saline counties. Due to redistricting, he was elected to serve the 21st District in 2012, after serving a previous term in the Missouri Senate representing District 31. Previously, he also completed three, two-year terms in the Missouri House of Representatives.

Pearce serves as chairman of the Senate Education Committee, chairman of the Joint Committee on Education, and was chairman of the Educated Citizenry 2020 Committee. Pearce was appointed to serve on the Missouri Veterans Commission in August 2009 and continues to serve in that capacity. He was also reappointed to the Midwestern Higher Education Compact in September 2010, and was honored to serve again as an Executive Committee member.

In addition, Pearce serves as a member of several Senate Committees: Appropriations; Financial and Governmental Organizations and Elections; and Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources.

Pearce has been recognized for the following legislative achievements:

• "Distinguished Legislator" Award by Community Colleges of Missouri
• "Legislator of the Year" Award by the Missouri Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
• "Dedication to Graduate Education" Award from the University of Missouri Graduate Professional Council
• "Outstanding Service" Award from the Missouri Association of Probate and Associate Circuit Council Judges
• "Friend of Agriculture" by the Missouri Farm Bureau
• "Representative of the Year" by the Missouri Association of Veterans Organizations (MAVO)
• "James C. Kirkpatrick Excellence in Governance" Award by the University of Central Missouri
• "Friend of Optometry" Award by the Missouri Optometric Association
• "Legislator of the Year" by the Missouri Association for Career and Technical Education
• "Spirit of Enterprise" Award by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce
• "Legislator of the Year" by both the St. Louis Business Journal and the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association
• 2012 Geyer Award by the Mizzou Alumni Association

Pearce is a member of the following organizations: Warrensburg Rotary; Whiteman Air Force Base Community Council; and Johnson County United Way, 2004–2005 campaign chairman. He has also represented the state of Missouri on behalf of both the Missouri House of Representatives and Senate as a commissioner and executive committee member of the Midwestern Higher Education Compact.

A graduate of Warrensburg High School, he attended the University of Central Missouri and received a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural journalism from the University of Missouri.

Pearce resides in rural Warrensburg with his wife, Teresa, They have two children, Molly and Andrew.