Lori Rook, an attorney and managing partner for Ozarks Elder Law and Joplin Elder Law, is vying for her first political office, having entered the race for Missouri State Treasurer.
Rook, a southwest Missouri native and Springfield resident, announced her Republican candidacy on Sept. 20, according to a news release.
“I am running for Treasurer to help Missourians fight against financial abuse and overreach and to protect, manage and wisely invest the taxpayer’s money,” Rook said in the release. “I will also help educate the next generation about saving, investing and managing their money.”
Rook will challenge current State Treasurer Vivek Malek in the Republican primary. Malek was appointed by Republican Gov. Mike Parson in January after the previous treasuer, Scott Fitzpatrick, was elected State Auditor. State Rep. Cody Smith of Carthage and State Sen. Andrew Koenig of Manchester, both Republicans, are also Republican candidates for State Treasurer, according to campaign finance filings.
As of the July quarterly reports, Malek has substantially more campaign funds on hand than any of his challengers, with just over $701,000. Smith had over $228,000 and Koenig over $65,000. Lucas Johnson, of Union, is the only Democratic candidate filed with the Ethics Commission. Johnson had just over $700 on hand at the close of the last campaign finance reporting period.
Rook does not currently have a campaign finance committee established with the Missouri Ethics Commission.
Rook graduated from Nixa High School and studied at Missouri State University before obtaining a law degree from Oklahoma City University, according to the release. Rook resides in Springfield with her husband and three children.
As an attorney, Rook’s focus has been in elder law and estate and tax planning, experience she hopes to use if elected Treasurer to “protect senior citizens” from fraud and abuse and “prioritize investments in Missouri.”