1. Catherine Lucille Hanaway was born on November 8,1963 and is an American attorney, former federal prosecutor and Republican candidate for Missouri Governor who served as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri from 2005 to 2009, and as the first and only female Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives from 2003 to 2005.
Catherine Hanaway spent the rest of her childhood growing up in rural Nebraska and Iowa; she received a marksman first class certificate from the NRA in 7th Grade, and was president of her 4-H club in high school.
Catherine Hanaway began volunteering for Republican campaigns in the early 1990s, and joined Senator Kit Bond's staff in 1993 where she managed his office's operations for Northeast Missouri.
Catherine Hanaway first ran for elected office in 1998 winning a seat in the Missouri House of Representatives.
Catherine Hanaway was elected as the first female Speaker of the Missouri House shortly afterwards.
Catherine Hanaway supported legislation to protect gun manufacturers from lawsuits.
Catherine Hanaway rejected multiple tax increase proposals from Governor Holden as Speaker.
Catherine Hanaway worked to pass a foster care reform bill that was named after James.
Catherine Hanaway was endorsed by the National Rifle Association of America and Missouri Right to Life.
Catherine Hanaway was defeated in her home county of St Louis by fourteen percentage points.
One of Catherine Hanaway's focuses as US Attorney was the prosecution of methamphetamine manufacturers and dealers, including illegal immigrants bringing in the drug from outside of Missouri.
Catherine Hanaway focused on prosecuting child exploitation cases and government corruption.
Catherine Hanaway prosecuted a number of public officials, including a state representative who pleaded guilty to bribing a bank official.
On February 11,2014, Catherine Hanaway announced that she was running for Governor of Missouri in the 2016 election.
Catherine Hanaway's campaign employed Jeff Roe as a political consultant, Hanaway suspended her campaign for a month after Schweich's suicide.
Catherine Hanaway has been very critical of Governor Jay Nixon's response to the unrest in Ferguson.
Catherine Hanaway feels that he was insufficiently supportive of law enforcement.
Catherine Hanaway criticized a gubernatorial rival, state Attorney General Chris Koster, for failing to prosecute those who assaulted police officers, looted, and set fires during the unrest.
Catherine Hanaway has similarly attacked the "lawlessness" at the University of Missouri, and called for the firing of Professor Melissa Click, who was caught on tape calling for "muscle" to be called in to prevent a student journalist from recording certain events at the campus protests in November 2015.
Catherine Hanaway launched a second bus tour on February 25,2016, which she called the "Safe and Strong Tour," focusing on her prosecutorial experience and rising crime rates.
Catherine Hanaway is currently a partner with the law firm Husch Blackwell, and lives in St Louis with her husband Chris, and two children Lucy and Jack.