Caleb Rowden

Caleb Rowden is an American musician, worship leader, and politician. He is a member of the Missouri State Senate for District 19, having served since 2017. A member of the Republican Party, Rowden previously served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2013 to 2017.^[1][2] In November 2018, Rowden was elected by his Republican colleagues to be the majority leader in the Missouri Senate's 2019 session.^[3] In October 2023, he announced his candidacy in the 2024 Missouri Secretary of State election.^[4]

Caleb Rowden
President pro tempore of the Missouri Senate
Incumbent
Assumed office January 4, 2023
Preceded by	Dave Schatz
Majority Leader of the Missouri Senate
In office January 9, 2019 – January 4, 2023
Preceded by	Mike Kehoe
Succeeded by	Cindy O'Laughlin
Member of the Missouri Senate from the 19th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 4, 2017
Preceded by	Kurt Schaefer
Member of the Missouri House of Representatives from the 44th district
In office January 7, 2013 – January 4, 2017
Preceded by	Jason Kander
Succeeded by	Cheri Toalson Reisch
Personal details
Born	(1982-10-22) October 22, 1982 (age 42) Joplin, Missouri, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Aubrey
Education	University of Missouri, Columbia
Occupation	musician politician
Musical career
Origin	Columbia, Missouri
Genres	Christian Rock Alternative Rock Christian Alternative Rock
Instruments	guitar, vocals
Years active	2004-present
Labels	Slanted Records
Website	Official website

Music career

Rowden first burst through the CCM rock music scene in 2006 when he his first single, “You Are Holy.” The vertical worship track from debut album Free From Ordinary made an impressive climb up the AC charts with heavy play in major markets and boasted a three week run at number 1 on KLTY in Dallas. He had a namestake band which features Rowden on Lead Vocals, Piano and Guitar, James “Weezul” Adams on lead guitar, Cody James on Bass, and Matt Buerky on drums.^[5]

Missouri Senate

Rowden later used his talents into another career in politics. Rowden was first elected in 2017, and he was chosen to be the majority leader for the 2019 session.

Committee assignments

• Administration (Vice-Chairman)
• Gubernatorial Appointments (Vice-Chairman)
• Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics (Chairman)
• Select Committee on Redistricting
• Missouri Arts Council Trust Fund Board of Trustees
• Missouri Justice Reinvestment Task Force
• Missouri State Capitol Commission

Political issues

Rowden is an advocate for charter schools and tax-credit scholarships for private schools, and has received multiple donations from Rex Sinquefield. He introduced a bill in his final term to establish charters in Boone County, Missouri, despite wide opposition from local school boards and superintendents.^[6]

Personal life

Rowden is married to Aubrey Rowden, the co-owner of Love Tree Studios, a wedding photography company. They have two children.^[7] Rowden himself owns Clarius Interactive, a media and marketing company.^[8] He attended the University of Missouri.^[9] Rowden is also a professional musician and recording artist who released 2 CCM rock albums and have huge radio single with MADE^[5]

Electoral history

State representative

2012 Republican Primary for Missouri's 44th House of Representative District^[10]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Caleb Rowden	1,099	40.61	N/A
	Republican	Dennis Smith	701	25.91	N/A
	Republican	Mike Becker	491	18.14	N/A
	Republican	Chris Dwyer	415	15.34	N/A
Total votes			2,706	100

2012 General Election for Missouri's 44th House of Representatives District^[10]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Caleb Rowden	7,996	51.02
	Democratic	Ken Jacob	7,676	48.98
Total votes			15,672	100

2014 General Election for Missouri's 44th House of Representatives District^[10]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Caleb Rowden	5,249	63.19
	Democratic	Thomas Pauley	3,058	36.81
Total votes			8,307	100

State Senate

2016 General Election for Missouri's 19th Senate District^[10]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Caleb Rowden	45,335	51.22
	Democratic	Stephen Webber	43,179	48.78
Total votes			88,514	100

2020 General Election for Missouri's 19th Senate District^[10]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Caleb Rowden	50,570	51.60	+0.38
	Democratic	Judy Baker	47,367	48.33	−0.45
	Write-In	James Coyne	72	0.07	+0.07
Total votes			98,009	100

References

1. McDowell, Maya (August 24, 2015). "Rep. Caleb Rowden running for Missouri Senate". The Missourian. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
2. O'Connor, Emily (November 8, 2016). "Rowden edges Webber in 19th District Senate race". The Missourian. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
3. Keller, Rudi (November 8, 2018). "Columbia's Caleb Rowden chosen as state Senate majority leader". Columbia Daily Tribune. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
4. Staff, Missourian (2023-10-22). "Caleb Rowden announces his intent to run for Missouri secretary of state". Columbia Missourian. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on September 6, 2008. Retrieved November 28, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
6. Hanshaw, Annelise (2024-04-01). "Caleb Rowden pushes for charter schools in his county over objections from local districts • Missouri Independent". Missouri Independent. Retrieved 2024-04-01.
7. "Image". calebrowden.com. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
8. "Senator Caleb Rowden | Missouri Senate". Senate.mo.gov. Retrieved 2017-10-20.
9. "PROFILE: Caleb Rowden (R)". Columbia Daily Tribune. Retrieved 2020-10-16.
10. "State of Missouri - Election Night Results".

External links

• Official website

Missouri House of Representatives
Preceded by Jason Kander	Member of the Missouri House of Representatives from the 44th district 2013–2017	Succeeded by Cheri Toalson Reisch
Missouri Senate
Preceded by Kurt Schaefer	Member of the Missouri Senate from the 19th district 2017–present	Incumbent
Preceded by Mike Kehoe	Majority Leader of the Missouri Senate 2019–2023	Succeeded by Cindy O'Laughlin
Preceded by Dave Schatz	President pro tempore of the Missouri Senate 2023–present	Incumbent