Doug Harpool

Mark D. "Doug" Harpool (born June 7, 1956) is a Democratic American politician, and a former member of the Missouri House of Representatives from southwest Missouri's 134th district. He served five terms from January 3, 1983 to January 3, 1992.

Early life

Doug Harpool learned early that he is not in the census. He has four brothers – an older set of twins and a younger set of twins. Doug and all four of his brothers attended public schools in Springfield, graduated from Parkview High School and graduated from Missouri State University. He attended the University of Missouri Law school and graduated in the top of his class. He was a frequent speaker at youth rallies and local revivals. It was at church that he met Cindy McCord. They married in 1978 and have three children—Ashley, Justin and Tyler. Cindy is a teacher at the Grant Avenue Baptist Church Preschool and Kindergarten.

Politics

While serving as a state representative, Harpool focused on crafting legislation to prevent crimes. Harpool was responsible for passing legislation for setting up the Missouri Ethics Commission. After setting up the Missouri Ethics Reform, he received the nickname "the bulldog of ethics" in the state legislature.^[1]

He ran unsuccessfully for the Missouri Senate from the 30th district in 2006.

Senate Redistricting

Doug Harpool is currently the chair of the Missouri senate redistricting committee. On August 18th, 2011 the map submitted by the committee was turned down by the Republican members of the committee. While on the committee he focused on population growth and census data to redraw the district boundaries. Senator John Lamping and many in opposition voiced their concerns over the proposed map because it would eliminate his district all together. Citing population trends and census data, Harpool argues that Saint Louis County must lose the seat in order for fair representation to the faster growing areas like Greene, Stone and Barry counties.^[2][3]

Law Practice

Currently practices law at Baird, Lightner, Millsap & Harpool, a highly touted law firm within Springfield, Missouri specializing in personal injury law.^[4]

Doug Harpool is the plaintiff's lawyer of a high profile court case involving the Republic School District.^[5][6]

Sources

• "Doug Harpools' Official Press Release" (Press release). Judy Bruner. 2006-03-03. http://www.firedupmissouri.com/node/4001. Retrieved 2006-07-17. 
• "Mo. Senate redistricting panel gives up, will let judges redraw map". STL Public Radio. 2011-08-16. http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/mo-senate-redistricting-panel-gives-will-let-judges-redraw-map. Retrieved 2011-08-18. 

1. ^ [1]
2. ^ http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/commission-mo-senate-redistricting-facing-deadline-next-week
3. ^ http://www.semissourian.com/story/1753781.html
4. ^ http://www.blmhpc.com/
5. ^ http://abcnews.go.com/US/special-student-sues-missouri-school-district-rapes/story?id=14325659
6. ^ http://www.news-leader.com/article/20110817/NEWS12/108170372/Suit-filed-against-Republic-School-District

External links

• Doug Harpool's law practice website

Persondata
Name	Harpool, Doug
Alternative names	Mark
Short description
Date of birth	1956-06-07
Place of birth	Springfield, Missouri
Date of death
Place of death