AJ Exner files for state House seat

Provided by AJ Exner's LinkedIn profile

AJ Exner is seeking the District 135 seat in the state House.

Springfieldian AJ Exner is running for the state House of Representatives.

Exner, who works as a client relationship manager at Dynamic DNA Laboratories and previously was a DNA criminalist with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, is seeking the District 135 seat that includes portions of northeast Springfield and Missouri State University, according to a news release. A Republican, Exner is challenging Rep. Betsy Fogle, D-Springfield, who was elected to the position in 2020.

“Springfield is my home and I want to give back to the community that has had such an amazing impact on my life," Exner said in the release. "I want to take my private- and public-sector experience working with community and state leaders to help deliver some southwest Missouri common sense to Jefferson City. I will work to ensure our kids receive a quality education, that we keep taxes low for businesses and working families and that our citizens have access to affordable health care."

At Dynamic DNA, Exner says he worked with state and local leaders to develop COVID-19 testing protocol. Dynamic DNA partnered with the Springfield-Greene County Health Department and local hospitals to provide additional testing capacity for COVID-19 in 2020, according to past reporting.

On her Twitter profile, Fogle acknowledged the challenger to her seat. She and Exner are the lone candidates for the seat.

"We look forward to working hard for the families of Springfield and earning your vote in November," Fogle said.