Quick Facts
AriesBiography
Leonard S. Hughes IV (born April 15, 1979) was a Democratic legislator in the Missouri House of Representatives. He represented part of Kansas City, Missouri in Jackson County, District 42. He was the youngest African-American ever elected to the Missouri House at the age of 25. He served four terms in the Missouri House, winning Legislator of the Year three times during his tenure.
Hughes was elected to the Missouri House in 2005. Two years later he ran successfully for re-election to the House. He was a vocal proponent of the controversial school choice movement. He served as Vice Chair on the Committee for Urban Education and as a member of the Student Achievement Committee. In 2006 he led successful efforts to establish a commission to monitor Missouri's Minority & Women's Business Enterprise program.
In 2011, Hughes cast the deciding vote to override Democratic Governor Jay Nixon's veto and enact a Republican-supported congressional redistricting map.