By Kellie Houx
KHoux@cherryroad.com

CLAY COUNTY — Rep. Chris Brown, a Republican, has retained his Missouri House of Representatives seat for District 16. This will be his third two-year term.

Brown took 54%, or 10,984, votes cast Tuesday, Nov. 5. His challenger, Gloria Young, took 8,731 votes or 42.96%. Vote counts are based on uncertified results from Clay County Election Board.

“I believe the General Assembly will function better. I know several of the House members who have moved to the Senate. It takes having friends on the other side of the building to get good legislation passed,” he said.

Brown said he plans on building on the legislation he passed last year and plans on filing several pieces, including property rights and a veterans bill.

Brown, who served as chairman of the special committee on small business as well as on committees for public safety and economic development, said he is now one of the veteran representatives with his re-election.

“My advice to new members is to sit and listen,” he said. “You will learn that it takes other people to get things done. You have to figure out who your people are and build that group. Relationships are a big thing in Jefferson City.”