MO Rep. Dieckhaus, Former POLS freshman-survey Student at MBU

Summary

Scott DeHouse, a former educator turned Missouri state representative, shares his unique journey into politics, highlighting the importance of community engagement and personal commitment to public service. From his early exposure to state government at age 12 to his active role in the Franklin County Young Republicans, Scott emphasizes the accessibility of political participation. He reflects on the surprising ease of compromise in state government and discusses balancing family life with his political career. Now serving as the Executive Director for the House Republican Campaign Committee, Scott’s story serves as an inspiration to students interested in government and public service.

Takeaways

• 😀 Scott graduated from Missouri Baptist University in 2002 with a degree in Social Sciences and Psychology and later earned a Master's in Educational Administration in 2004.
• 😀 Initially, Scott was a high school teacher, teaching social studies, government, world history, and psychology before deciding to pursue a political career.
• 😀 Scott ran for office in 2008 after becoming involved in local politics through the Franklin County Young Republicans in 2002.
• 😀 At the age of 12, Scott decided he wanted to be a state representative after visiting the Missouri state capital with his uncle, whose father was a state representative.
• 😀 Scott emphasizes that anyone, regardless of background, can get involved in politics, as long as they are active in their community and willing to step up.
• 😀 He highlights that many politicians are not from political families, but instead are regular people who get involved due to community engagement.
• 😀 One of Scott's biggest surprises in government was the ability to find common ground and compromise with colleagues across the political spectrum.
• 😀 Scott noted that working with others in the Missouri House of Representatives, despite differences in beliefs, showed him how respect and cooperation can work effectively.
• 😀 He is a dedicated family man, with two children—Caleb, 6, and Celia, 3—and values spending time with them despite the challenges of being away for legislative sessions.
• 😀 After his time in office, Scott decided not to run for re-election, choosing instead to focus more on his family and personal life while continuing to contribute to politics.
• 😀 Scott is now the Executive Director for the House Republican Campaign Committee, managing a significant budget and working to elect Republicans to the Missouri House.

Q & A

What is Scott DeHouse's educational background?

Scott DeHouse graduated from Missouri Baptist University in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in Social Sciences and Psychology. He later returned to the university and earned a master's in Educational Administration in 2004.

What subjects did Scott DeHouse teach before entering politics?

Before running for office, Scott taught high school social studies, government, world history, and psychology.

What inspired Scott DeHouse to run for office?

Scott was inspired to run for office at the age of 12, after visiting the Missouri State Capitol and meeting his uncle's father, who was a state representative. He decided then that he would one day pursue a political career.

What was Scott's initial plan before deciding to enter politics?

Initially, Scott planned to work in education, aiming to become a high school principal or superintendent, with the idea of running for office much later in life.

How did Scott DeHouse get involved in politics after college?

In 2002, Scott joined the Franklin County Young Republicans, attending a meeting just weeks before the November election. He quickly became active, participating in door-to-door campaigning and phone banking, which led to exciting opportunities, including meeting prominent figures like President George W. Bush.

What does Scott DeHouse say about the misconception that political office is only for those with political families?

Scott dispels the myth that only people with political backgrounds can run for office. He notes that many of his colleagues did not come from political families but were instead active in their communities or well-known in other ways, like being teachers, bankers, or organizational leaders.

What surprised Scott DeHouse about state government once he became involved?

One of Scott's biggest surprises was discovering how easy it could be to find compromise in government. He was impressed by the genuine beliefs of his colleagues, the willingness to engage in respectful conversations, and the ability to work together despite political differences.

What is the role of Scott DeHouse in the Missouri House Republican Campaign Committee?

Scott currently serves as the executive director of the Missouri House Republican Campaign Committee, where he oversees a budget of $3.5 million, manages 20 employees during election years, and works to elect Republicans to the Missouri House.

How does Scott DeHouse balance his political career and family life?

Scott has faced challenges balancing his career in politics with family life, particularly the time spent away from home while serving in the Missouri House. His decision not to run for re-election was partly motivated by a desire to spend more time with his young children, Caleb and Celia.

What advice does Scott DeHouse give to students interested in pursuing a career in government?

Scott encourages students to become involved in their communities, whether through volunteering or participating in local organizations. He stresses that political engagement is not reserved for a select few and that opportunities for public service can arise from simply showing up and getting involved.