Tracey Steele

I'm a native Missourian, proud Northlander, husband, and father.

We chose Parkville to raise a family. The close-knit community, great schools, and being a part of the Kansas City metro made it an easy decision. I plan to be here for a long time, and want to keep District 12 a welcoming place for all.

I grew up in the northwest Missouri town of Grant City. My dad was a farmer and a small business owner who dropped out of school after the eighth grade to help support his family before serving in World War II. Mom set aside her dreams of attending college and becoming a writer so she could raise a family as a Missouri farm wife. They taught me the value of education; how to work hard; to keep fighting, even when times are tough; to help your neighbors when they can use a hand; and to treat everyone like the human beings they are. To me, that's always been what it means to be an American. Those are the common sense values that helped make this country special, and prosperity a possibility for all.

I went to school at Northwest Missouri State, where I majored in broadcasting. I started my career in television journalism as a reporter and anchor at KQTV in St. Joe. After spending some time gaining experience out-of-state, I was able to come home to Channel 9 as Executive Producer of their morning news with Kris Ketz, Donna Pitman, and Joel Nichols.

I got out of the news business in 2009 and headed to California to go to law school on scholarship at the University of California, Irvine. While attending UCI Law, I got the chance to work with Katie Porter as her research assistant.  I had no idea she was soon going to become Congresswoman Katie Porter.

After law school, and later transitioning into real estate law, I was able to go home to Kansas City. Thanks to my wife, Tania, we found a beautiful home in Parkville to raise our daughter, my youngest.

After the 2024 election, I was disappointed, and most of all mad. I felt I had to take more action to respond to MAGA's aggressive agenda. With others who shared those feelings, I helped found a group we called “Do Something MO.”  The idea behind Do Something is simple: they want to take away services that people depend on, so let’s get busy helping those people. Remind them that it’s Trump and his flock that are hurting them, while we are there to help.

We started with 7 people around a table at a coffee shop.  We now have more than 1500 people following the group on Facebook and dozens of people have participated in our volunteer work. I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished and that experience is a big reason I decided to run for this seat in the State House. I’ve seen what can happen when people work together. We can make a difference.

Deciding to Run for office was a small first step toward a bigger commitment.

This campaign is a promise to put the Northland first. Missourians vote time and time again for fair representation and the policies we want. I want to protect those interests and stay true to the will of voters. I want to represent the people - my neighbors - and fight for all Northland families. Not just hold the line in Jefferson City, but to stay and fight, not be bullied or bought by billionaire interests.

We will knock doors, make calls, and do everything possible to reach every voter in District 12 for this opportunity. Please consider helping that mission, and joining us on the campaign trail. Your support, volunteer efforts, and contributions are deeply appreciated and truly make a difference towards the Northland we deserve.