Meet Tony
Tony Luetkemeyer is the State Senator for Missouri’s 34th Senatorial District, representing Buchanan and Platte Counties. Tony was first elected to the Missouri Senate in November 2018 and reelected to a second term in November 2022. In the legislature, Tony has focused on supporting law enforcement, combating violent crime, fighting for lower taxes, giving parents more say over their kids’ education, and creating a better environment for small businesses to grow the economy.
A fifth-generation Missourian, Tony grew up in Farmington in Southeast Missouri and was proudly educated in the local public schools. His father, a career civil servant in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and his mother, a nurse, were strong influences who taught Tony and his two sisters the importance of serving others and giving back to their community.
After graduating from high school, Tony attended the University of Missouri in Columbia. During his junior year, Tony was elected Mizzou’s student body president. In that role, Tony advocated for students at MU to ensure their voices were heard by university administrators. It was also while campaigning for office that Tony met his wife, Lucinda.
During the summer after college, Tony served as a White House intern in the Domestic Policy Council under President George W. Bush. The expertise and commitment to public service displayed by White House staff showed Tony how individuals can shape public policy and make a meaningful difference at the highest levels of government.
At the end of his summer in the nation’s capital, Tony enrolled at the University of Missouri School of Law. While in law school, Tony was appointed by Missouri Governor Matt Blunt to serve on the University of Missouri Board of Curators, the governing board for the UM System. In that role, Tony fought to keep tuition and fees low for Missouri students and families and served as a voting member on the committee to hire a new university president.
After graduating from law school, Tony clerked for Judge Patricia Breckenridge on the Missouri Supreme Court. Tony understands the importance of limited government and the individual rights and liberties protected by the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. A constitutional conservative, Tony has been a consistent voice against government overreach in the Missouri Senate.
As a senator, Tony serves as the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, which oversees changes to the state’s civil and criminal justice system. He also serves as the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee and as a member on the committees on Gubernatorial Appointments and Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions & Ethics.
During his senate service, Tony passed historic legislation to combat the increase of violent crime. His legislation ended the catch-and-release of dangerous criminals, ensuring they are not put back on the streets where they can harm victims. For his work to make Missouri safer, the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys named him Legislator of the Year.
Tony is a staunch supporter of law enforcement. He led the effort to push back against radical attempts by Kansas City to defund the Kansas City Police Department, ensuring officers have the resources they need to keep citizens safe. He also sponsored and passed landmark, bipartisan legislation to protect law enforcement officers and their families from harassment, provide increased funding for sheriffs, and give police departments additional tools to recruit and retain officers. Tony’s efforts in this arena have been praised by numerous law enforcement groups, including the Missouri Sheriffs Association and State Troopers Association. His campaign is endorsed by the Missouri Fraternal Order of Police.
Throughout his time in the senate, Tony has also been a steadfast advocate for lowering taxes. He sponsored and passed legislation to protect property owners from runaway property tax assessments. He also helped pass the largest income tax cut in state history to put more money in the pockets of hard-working Missouri families. In 2023, Tony authored and passed Senate Bill 190 to eliminate the income tax on Social Security and freeze property taxes on the homes of Missouri seniors.
In addition to his support for tax reform, Tony has been a leading advocate for Missouri small businesses. He passed multiple laws to create a more favorable environment for small businesses to grow the economy and attract more high-paying jobs to our state. Tony’s work to make Missouri a better place for job creators was recognized by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, which named him Freshman Legislator of the Year. He is also proud to have been named Business Champion by the Missouri Chamber each year he served in the senate.
Tony and his wife live in Parkville. They are members of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection. Tony is a member of the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, the Federalist Society, and the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association. In his spare time, Tony enjoys traveling, watching sports (particularly the Kansas City Chiefs, Mizzou Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals), and spending time outdoors with his dog, Truman.