Chase D. Waggoner

Chase Daniel Waggoner (born November 4, 1982) is a politician from the U.S. state of Missouri. He is currently serving his second term as a City Councilman - Ward 1 - for the City of Lebanon, Missouri. Since July 14, 2009, Waggoner has been the senior member of the Lebanon City Council. First elected at 23 years of age, Waggoner was, at the time, one of the youngest public officials in the state of Missouri.
Early Life & Education
Born and raised in Lebanon, Missouri, Chase Waggoner was educated in the Lebanon public school system. Waggoner, who was , graduated from Lebanon High School in May 2001. He went on to attend Westminster College (Fulton, MO), playing football for one season as a second-string placekicker before transferring to Missouri State University (Springfield, MO). He graduated from Missouri State in July 2004 with a bachelors degree in History and a minor in international management. After college, Waggoner held positions in the manufacturing industry as an analyst and later as an assistant plant manager.
Political career
In December 2005, Chase Waggoner filed for the position of (First Ward) City Councilman against three-term incumbent Robert ‘Bob’ Mitchell. On April 4, 2006, Waggoner defeated Mitchell by a 22 vote margin. He was sworn in on April 10, 2006. 23 years old at the time of his inauguration, he is believed to be the youngest councilman in city history.
In his first term, Waggoner was a polarizing force in city politics. He was an outspoken opponent of the city’s proposed Capital Improvements Tax Extension (and related Aqua Park Project). Waggoner’s opposition to the tax drew local media coverage and helped him gain both recognition and public support. A strong advocate for citizen input, he devised and sent out a survey to the first ward voters in Fall of 2006, paid for by his personal funds. In April 2007, Waggoner publicly endorsed a group of citizens petitioning for an audit of the city from the Missouri State Auditor’s office. In August 2007, he sponsored legislation to enact term limits for the city’s elected officials, however other members of the Council refused to place Waggoner’s proposal on the agenda for discussion.
On December 18, 2007, Waggoner filed for re-election for a second term. On April 8, 2008, he defeated challenger Charles Miller, a Lebanon city employee, carrying 65% of the vote. In that election, Waggoner was the city’s only incumbent officeholder to win another term.
Waggoner has frequently clashed with both of the City’s mayors he has served alongside. Mayor Stanley ‘Bud’ Allen and Councilman Waggoner publicly disagreed on several issues, key among them was the 2007 Capital Improvements Tax Extension and proposed additions to the Kenneth E. Cowan Civic Center. Since the election of Mayor C.P. Craig in 2008, Waggoner and Craig have been at odds on multiple occasions. Shortly after Craig’s election, Waggoner openly opposed Craig when the Mayor directed city staff to purchase a street sweeper without prior knowledge of the City Council. Waggoner has also voted against other measures supported by Craig, including a $75,000 flagpole project, suspension of an employee tuition reimbursement program, a proposed ordinance to give the mayor increased control over Council meetings, and multiple line-items in the 2010 budget which transferred monies from the city's Electric Reserve Fund to shore up shortfalls in other city departments.
In April 2009, Ward 1 resident and Zoning & Planning Commissioner Sherman Davis was elected to the Lebanon City Council, replacing Councilman Dan True who chose not to stand for reelection. The inauguration of Davis made Waggoner the Senior Councilman for Ward 1. With only three years of elected service, Waggoner become the senior member of the City Council on July 14, 2009, following the resignation of Ward 3 Councilman Allen Richert.
Personal Information
Waggoner is of German-American ancestry. He is a devout Non-Denominational Christian and an active member at Phillipsburg Christian Church (Phillipsburg, MO).
He has served in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary since July 24, 2001, holding various positions, including that of Flotilla Commander for two separate units. He has been the officer-in-charge of the Lebanon Detachment since its establishment in 2005.
While at Lebanon High School, he was Senior Class President, Captain of the Quiz Bowl Team, and a member of National Honor Society.
He enjoys playing pinball and has a full-size pinball machine in his home.
Waggoner is single and has lived in downtown Lebanon since December 2004.
Elections
City Council - Ward 1 (April 8, 2008)
*Chase D. Waggoner (inc) - 493 - 64.8%
*Charles Miller - 268 - 35.2%
City Council - Ward 1 (April 4, 2006)
*Chase D. Waggoner - 181 - 53.2%
*Robert 'Bob' Mitchell (inc) - 159 - 46.8%

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