Courtney Curtis

Courtney Allen Curtis, born on April 12, 1981, in Ferguson, Missouri, began his political career representing the 73rd District in the Missouri House of Representatives. Elected in 2012, he served for six years, from 2013 to 2018. His district encompassed several North St. Louis County municipalities, including Ferguson, Berkeley, and Normandy. During his tenure, Curtis was an active member of various committees, notably serving as Chairman of the Special Committee on Urban Issues in 2015, making him the sole Democrat to chair a committee during that legislative session. He also held positions on the Joint Committee on Education, Rules – Legislative Oversight, and the Special Committee on Homeland Security.

Throughout his time in office, Curtis championed several legislative initiatives. In 2014, he sponsored bills related to education, economic development, and community services, such as HB1704, which aimed to establish the Missouri Tuition Equity Act, and HB1810, proposing the designation of June 1 as “Underrepresented Minority Contractor Appreciation Day.” He was also a vocal advocate for greater inclusion of minorities in Missouri construction contracts. Furthermore, he established North County Forever in April 2014, a nonprofit organization aimed at revitalizing his district. During the Ferguson unrest, he called for changes in local leadership.

Curtis’s career included notable progression, having been appointed president of the Freshman Democratic Caucus and chair of the Freshman Bipartisan Issues committee. He was recognized as the Associated Students of the University of Missouri Legislator of the Year in 2013. However, his legislative career ended with his resignation in March 2016 following a highly publicized legal issue where he pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud related to misusing campaign funds for personal expenses. He was sentenced to 21 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution of $47,867.69 in 2021.