[Legislative Update] PCO Elected Missouri State Representative

Mike Bernskoetter, who along with wife Jeannette, owns and operates Art’s Pest Control, Jefferson City, Mo., was elected as a Missouri state representative on Nov. 2.

Bernskoetter, a Republican, captured 64 percent of the vote over Democrat Cyrus Dashtaki in the 113th District state House seat in eastern Jefferson City and Cole County.

"I’m a small business owner and like most business owners around here, and around the country, I saw the need for creating jobs, lowering taxes and getting people back to work," Bernskoetter told PCT. "I think that was the main thing that resonated with voters."

What’s remarkable about Bernskoetter’s election win is that prior to entering the race he had no political experience. "About nine months ago, I decided to get involved. I didn’t care for the direction the country was heading, and from talking with people whose homes I treated, most of them didn’t like the direction the country was heading. Instead of complaining about it and sitting on the sidelines I decided to see what I could do about it." Additionally, now was a good time personally and professionally for Bernskoetter, who has four adult children, the youngest of whom is Luke (age 18), and a freshman in college.

"My business is in good shape, my wife works in the business with me, my middle son, Kyle (age 23), works in the business and we have great employees that have given me the time to go politicking and now will give me an opportunity to spend five months up at the Capitol," Bernskoetter said.

While the Missouri Congress is in session, Bernskoetter will not be involved in the day-to-day operations as Jeannette and Kyle will take on more of these responsibilities.

A LONG-TIME PCO. After graduating high school, Bernskoetter went to work at the Cole County Highway Department. Later he was transferred to the Cole County Sewer Department and worked there for a total of seven years. He was responsible for the sewage treatment facilities in the local subdivisions. The county decided to eliminate its sewer department (and privatize this service) and as a result Bernskoetter’s position was eliminated.

Bernskoetter inquired with a coworker about working for Art’s Pest Control, which was owned by Art Tichelkamp, who was looking to sell the business. Bernskoetter bought the company in April 1986 and has built it into a modest-sized but thriving business. The company employs six people and services a 30-mile radius in the Jefferson City, Mo., area. In addition to his involvement with the Missouri Pest Control Association (MPCA), Bernskoetter assisted with the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s IPM in Schools program.

Bernskoetter said he was appreciative of all the help he received from MPCA and its members, including donations from its PAC fund and funds raised from a golf outing to support his campaign. Bernskoetter also said he’s looking forward to getting started. "I think the best thing we can do to get the economy going is doing whatever is necessary to lower the burdens on families and business and help create more jobs."

The author is Internet editor of PCTOnline and can be contacted at bharbison@giemedia.com.
 

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Update on Bob Dold’s Congressional Win

On Nov. 2, Robert Dold, president of Rose Pest Solutions, Northfield, Ill., beat Democrat Dan Seals in the 10th Congressional race to replace U.S. Senator-elect Mark Kirk. Dold edged out Seals by a margin of 51.2 percent to 48.8 percent.

According to a Chicago Tribune article that appeared the day after the election, Democrats viewed the seat left open by Kirk’s run for U.S. Senate as one of the few they could flip this year.

The 10th District of Illinois has voted to send a Democrat to the White House but a Republican to the U.S. House for at least the last decade. At least $8 million was spent on the race, the Tribune reported.

The National Pest Management Association was very supportive of the Dold campaign, holding fundraisers and asking its members to back the campaign. Gene Harrington, manager of government affairs for NPMA, observed, "Bob is viewed by the Congressional leadership as a budding leader and has already been tagged as a potential superstar of this extraordinarily large freshman class."

Meanwhile, the Dold family recently expressed its sincere appreciation for the industry’s loyalty and support during the run-up to the election. Dold’s parents, Robert Sr. and Judy Dold, are chief executive officer and chairman of Rose Pest Solutions, respectively.

"From the smallest to the largest companies, the industry was just fabulous in its support of Bob," Dold Sr. said. "They gave us support financially, emotionally and every other way possible, and for that we are very grateful."