Senator Gary Romine was elected in November 2012 to serve Missouri’s 3rd Senatorial District, which includes Iron, Reynolds, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve and Washington counties and part of Jefferson County.

Senator Romine is a member of numerous committees, serving as chairman of the Joint Committee on Education; chairman of the Senate Interim Committee on Medicaid Transformation and Reform; and vice-chairman of the Committee on Education. He has received several legislative awards, including the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s 2014 Freshman of the Year Award, as well as the Missouri Community College Association’s Legislative Award of Distinction (2014).

In addition to his legislative duties, Sen. Romine currently serves as President and CEO of Show-Me-Rent-To-Own, a business he founded more than 25 years ago. What began as a single store in Leadington, Mo., has grown to include nine stores throughout the state, employing many outstanding men and women from southeast Missouri. He has served as chairman of the board for the Ste. Genevieve-based MRV Banks since its opening in 2007 and was president of the Mineral Area College Board of Trustees, of which he had been a member for several years.

Senator Romine has been a member of the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations for 24 years, previously serving as president and public relations chairman. During this time, he participated in Federal Trade Commission and congressional hearings, an experience that gave him unique insight into navigating the federal legislative process.

He also has served as legislative liaison for the Missouri Rental Dealers Association and as a member of the Government Relations Committee for the Missouri Bankers Association.

After graduating from Poplar Bluff High School, Sen. Romine received his associate degree from Three Rivers Community College and his bachelor’s degree from Central Missouri State University in 1978. He taught high school in the Branson and Farmington school districts prior to starting his own business.

Senator Romine and his wife, Kathy, raised five children in the southeast Missouri area. They currently reside in Farmington, where they enjoy spending time with their 11 grandchildren and are active members of their church and community.