# Rod Jetton

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{{short description|American politician}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Rod Jetton
| image = Rod-Jetton.jpg
| office = 70th [Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives](/source/Speaker_of_the_Missouri_House_of_Representatives)
| term_start2 = 2005
| term_end2 = 2009
| predecessor2 = [Catherine Hanaway](/source/Catherine_Hanaway)
| successor2 = [Ron Richard](/source/Ron_Richard)
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1967|9|9}}
| birth_place = [De Soto, Missouri](/source/De_Soto%2C_Missouri), U.S.
| party = [Republican](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States))
| alma_mater = [Southwest Baptist University](/source/Southwest_Baptist_University)
}}

'''Rod Jetton''' (born September 9, 1967) is an American politician, author, and businessman. He served as a [Republican](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States)) member of the [Missouri House of Representatives](/source/Missouri_House_of_Representatives) who represented [Missouri](/source/Missouri)'s 156th District from 2001 to 2009 and was [Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives](/source/Speaker_of_the_Missouri_House_of_Representatives) from 2005 to 2009. Jetton has authored four books about biblical teachings and how to recover from personal crisis.

==Personal==
Jetton is a member of [Veterans of Foreign Wars](/source/Veterans_of_Foreign_Wars) (VFW) Post 5900, the [American Legion](/source/American_Legion),<ref name=":19">{{Cite news|url=http://therecoveringpolitician.com/rod-jettons-bio|title=Rod Jetton's Bio|work=The Recovering Politician|access-date=2018-04-27|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120412200635/http://therecoveringpolitician.com/rod-jettons-bio|archive-date=2012-04-12|url-status=usurped}}</ref> [Farm Bureau](/source/Farm_Bureau), [National Rifle Association of America](/source/National_Rifle_Association_of_America) and [National Federation of Independent Business](/source/National_Federation_of_Independent_Business).<ref name=":11">{{cite web|url=https://house.mo.gov/content.aspx?info=/bills02/member02/bio156.htm |website=house.mo.gov |url-status=dead |title=Rep. Rod Jetton |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424135347/https://house.mo.gov/content.aspx?info=/bills02/member02/bio156.htm |archive-date=2018-04-24 |access-date=2020-04-01}}</ref> The Bollinger County Chamber of Commerce gave him the "One Year VIP Business Achievement Award" in 1998 for his leadership and service to the community.<ref name=":11"/>

He was married to the former Cassandra (Cassie) James from 1988 until their divorce in October 2009.<ref name="Rosenbaum - Power Broker" /><ref name="Isn't Afraid" /><ref name="Former House Speaker returns" /><ref name=":12">{{cite news |url=http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article315146/Former-House-Speaker-Rod-Jetton-returns-to-Missouri-capital-as-news-publisher.html |title=Former House Speaker Rod Jetton returns to Missouri capital as news publisher|work=kansascity |access-date=2018-04-26|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427045342/http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article315146/Former-House-Speaker-Rod-Jetton-returns-to-Missouri-capital-as-news-publisher.html|archive-date=2018-04-27|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":19" />  He has three children,<ref name=":17">{{Cite book|title=Cussing Christians: We Love Jesus (but we cuss a little) / A short discussion on the language we use outside of church: Rodney Jetton: 9780991312641: Amazon.com: Books |isbn = 0991312643}}</ref> Callie, Elaine and Will.<ref name=":11" /><ref name=":18">{{Cite book |title=Prayer Warrior Bootcamp: Rodney Jetton, Andrew Murray, E.M. Bounds: 9780991312634: Amazon.com: Books |isbn = 978-0991312634|last1 = Murray|first1 = Andrew|last2 = Jetton|first2 = Rodney|last3 = Bounds|first3 = Edward M.|date = 10 July 2016| publisher=Targeted Communications }}</ref> Jetton told ''The Southeast Missourian'' newspaper in July 2011 that he had remarried<ref name=":14" /> and is working for [civil engineering](/source/civil_engineering) company in [Poplar Bluff, Missouri](/source/Poplar_Bluff%2C_Missouri). He also serves as a contributing blogger for a political website, The Recovering Politician,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.semissourian.com/story/1748613.html|title=Rod Jetton discusses his downfall...|date=2011-07-31|publisher=The Southeast Missourian newspaper website|access-date=2011-08-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://therecoveringpolitician.com/category/contributors/rodj|title=Rod Jetton |website=The Recovering Politician|language=en-US|access-date=2018-04-11}}</ref><ref name="Former House Speaker returns" /> and has written several books.<ref name="Rosenbaum - Power Broker" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7560031.Rod_Jetton|title=Rod Jetton |website=www.goodreads.com|access-date=2018-04-11}}</ref><ref name="Ideasmyth">{{Cite web|url=http://ideasmyth.com/featured-creative-jonathan-miller-the-recovering-politician-4/|title=The Recovering Politician – Ideasmyth|website=ideasmyth.com|date=3 July 2015 |language=en-US|access-date=2018-04-11}}</ref>

In 2017, Jetton moved to [Greece](/source/Greece) to pursue a Master of Arts degree at the [University of Macedonia](/source/University_of_Macedonia). The master's program focused on the politics and economics of eastern and southeastern [Europe](/source/Europe) with sections on the how refugees are impacting the [European Union](/source/European_Union)<ref name="Heading to Greece" />

Jetton is a member of the evangelical Christian group, [Gideons International](/source/Gideons_International).<ref name=":17" /><ref name=":18" />

==Early life==
Jetton was born in [De Soto, Missouri](/source/De_Soto%2C_Missouri), to Bill and Judy Jetton.  His father is a [Southern Baptist](/source/Southern_Baptist) minister.<ref name="Former House Speaker returns" /><ref name=":12" /><ref name=":13">{{Cite web|title=The Recovering Politician's Second Act Strategies|url=http://secondactstrategies.com/brochure.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224134931/http://secondactstrategies.com/brochure.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-02-24|date=2016-02-24|access-date=2018-04-26}}</ref> Jetton graduated from [Charleston High School](/source/Charleston_High_School_(Missouri)) in 1986 <ref name="house.missouri.gov">[http://www.house.missouri.gov/bio/?year=2006&district=156 Missouri House Biography - missouri.gov - Retrieved December 12, 2009]</ref> and from [Southwest Baptist University](/source/Southwest_Baptist_University) in [Bolivar, Missouri](/source/Bolivar%2C_Missouri) in May 1990,<ref name="house.missouri.gov" /> with a double major in history and political science<ref name=":19" /> and was student body president his senior year.<ref name="The Arena">{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/arena/bio/ex-st_house_speaker_rodney_jetton.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727194933/http://www.politico.com/arena/bio/ex-st_house_speaker_rodney_jetton.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 27, 2011|title=The Arena: - Ex-St. House Speaker Rodney Jetton Bio|website=www.politico.com|access-date=2018-04-23}}</ref><ref name="Farm Investments">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rowlandfarminvestments.com/about-rod-jetton|title=Rowland-Farm-Investments-Agricultural-Management|website=Rowland-Farm-Investments-Agricultural-Management|language=en|access-date=2018-04-23}}</ref><ref name=":11" />

After graduating, Jetton joined the [United States Marine Corps](/source/United_States_Marine_Corps)<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":13" /> and served as an Infantry Officer for four years.<ref name=":17" /> He was stationed at [Camp Lejeune](/source/Camp_Lejeune), North Carolina and was involved in the [Bosnia](/source/Bosnia_and_Herzegovina) and [Somalia](/source/Somalia) operations.<ref name="house.missouri.gov" /><ref name=":19" /><ref name="The Arena" /> After finishing his tour in 1995, Jetton received an honorable discharge.<ref name="Farm Investments" /><ref name=":11" />

After leaving the Marine Corps, Jetton started Jetton James Real Estate Company.<ref name="The Arena" />

== Political career ==

=== Bollinger County Commissioner ===
After college, Jetton joined Congressman [Bill Emerson](/source/Bill_Emerson)'s campaign team as a field coordinator, and gained valuable experience in local grass roots politics.  In 1996, he was elected to the [Bollinger County](/source/Bollinger_County) Commission.<ref name=":12" /> He was the youngest County Commissioner in the state at that time<ref name="house.missouri.gov" /><ref name="Farm Investments" /><ref name=":11" /> During his time as County Commissioner, Jetton worked with other commissioners to eliminate the county's $350,000 debt within his first term.<ref name="The Arena" /><ref name=":19" />

===Speaker of the House===
In 2000, Jetton was elected to the [Missouri House of Representatives](/source/Missouri_House_of_Representatives) where he served until 2009, when term limits required that he leave the legislature.<ref name="Heading to Greece">{{Cite news|url=https://themissouritimes.com/40937/jetton-heading-greece-search-masters-degree/|title=Jetton heading to Greece in search of Master's degree|date=2017-05-16|work=The Missouri Times|access-date=2018-04-11|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Former House Speaker returns">{{Cite news|url=https://www.semissourian.com/story/1748613.html|title=Rod Jetton discusses his downfall, says he's returning to his religious upbringing|date=2011-07-31|work=seMissourian.com|access-date=2018-04-11|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://house.mo.gov/content.aspx?info=/bills073/member/mem156.htm |website=house.mo.gov |url-status=dead |title=Representative Rod Jetton |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424135325/https://house.mo.gov/content.aspx?info=/bills073/member/mem156.htm |archive-date=2018-04-24 |access-date=2020-04-01}}</ref><ref name="The Arena" /><ref name=":12" /> In his second term, he was chosen [Speaker pro Tempore](/source/Speaker_pro_Tempore) of the Missouri House. On January 5, 2005, he was sworn in as the 70th Speaker of the [Missouri House of Representatives](/source/Missouri_House_of_Representatives).<ref name="Rosenbaum - Power Broker">{{Cite news|url=http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/missouri-power-brokers-fall-rod-jettons-new-book-raises-questions-about-politics|title=A Missouri Power Broker's Fall: Rod Jetton's New Book Raises Questions About Politics|last=Rosenbaum|first=Jason|access-date=2018-04-11|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Isn't Afraid">{{Cite news|url=https://dailyjournalonline.com/news/local/rod-jetton-isn-t-afraid-to-say-he-s-sorry/article_d2883c70-0a59-11e3-8a4f-0019bb2963f4.html|title=Rod Jetton isn't afraid to say he's sorry|first=Kevin R.|last=Jenkins|work=Daily Journal Online|access-date=2018-04-11|language=en}}</ref> He served on the Agriculture, Judicial, Banking, and Natural Resources committees.<ref name="Farm Investments" />

In 2002, Jetton led political efforts for the minority Republican caucus. He assisted in re-drawing House legislative districts and developing plans to recruit and train Republican candidates. These efforts contributed to the Republicans picking up fourteen new seats and establishing a majority for the first time in 48 years.<ref name="The Arena" /><ref name=":19" />

As speaker, he proposed and passed rules changes giving the minority equal debate time and establishing other policies that more evenly distributed power between the House minority and majority. These changes were opposed by some elements of his own party.<ref name="The Arena" /><ref name=":19" />

In Jetton's first term as speaker he launched Common Sense Conservative Consulting which advised some people who were seeking legislation in the state.  The Missouri State Ethics Commission said it was a legal but questionable practice.<ref name="assault-kcstar">[http://www.kansascity.com/842/story/1617002.html Former Missouri House speaker charged with assault – Kansas City Star – December 7, 2009].  Accessed December 8, 2009.</ref>

In 2007, he unintentionally voted for a [rider](/source/Rider_(legislation)) to repeal Missouri's law banning gay sex. The rider was attached to a [Jessica's Law](/source/Jessica's_Law) bill. Jetton said he did not know about the rider. While Jetton acknowledged the ban was unenforceable because of the Supreme Court's ''[Lawrence v. Texas](/source/Lawrence_v._Texas)'' ruling, he said, "Thanks to that deletion, it is now legal to engage in deviate sexual intercourse with someone of the same sex here in Missouri."<ref name="semissourian-deviatesex">{{Citation|last=Jetton|first=Rod|title=Jetton explains why Lipke was removed|newspaper=Southeast Missourian|location=Cape Girardeau, Missouri|date=7 February 2007|url=http://www.semissourian.com/story/1188516.html|access-date=8 December 2009}}</ref> In response, Jetton removed state representative Scott A. Lipke of [Jackson, Missouri](/source/Jackson%2C_Missouri), as chair of the Committee on Crime Prevention and Public Safety because he thought Lipke should have told lawmakers about the rider.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.semissourian.com/story/1188516.html|title=Jetton explains why Lipke was removed|date=2007-02-07|work=seMissourian.com|access-date=2018-04-23|language=en}}</ref>

In 2007, Jetton proposed and passed one of Missouri's largest tax cuts. The cut eliminated taxes on Social Security benefits.<ref name="The Arena" /><ref name=":19" />

During his tenure he helped to convert a $600 million deficit into a $500 million surplus.<ref name="The Arena" /><ref name=":19" /> Jetton also increased nutrition program funding during his time in the House <ref name="The Arena" /> and was an advocate for Missouri's [ethanol fuel](/source/Ethanol_fuel_in_the_United_States) mandate and the development of Missouri [ethanol plant](/source/ethanol_plant)s.<ref name="Farm Investments" />

====2009 assault arrest====
On December 7, 2009, Jetton was charged with felony assault related to an incident that occurred on November 15, 2009, in which Jetton allegedly "recklessly caused serious physical injury" to an unnamed woman.<ref>[https://ky3.blogspot.com/2009/12/jetton-in-probable-cause-you-shouldve.html KY3 Political Notebook: Jetton in Probable Cause: "You Should've Said Green Balloons"<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/political-fix/political-fix/2009/12/felony-assault-charge-filed-against-former-speaker-rod-jetton/| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091213050601/http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/political-fix/political-fix/2009/12/felony-assault-charge-filed-against-former-speaker-rod-jetton| archive-date = 2009-12-13| title = Update: Felony assault charge filed against former Speaker Rod Jetton}}</ref><ref>[http://primebuzz.kcstar.com/?q=node/20697 Primebuzz blog at the Kansas City Star website].  Accessed December 8, 2009.</ref><ref name="Rosenbaum - Power Broker" /><ref name="Isn't Afraid" />

Jetton originally met the accuser while attending high school in [Charleston Missouri](/source/Charleston%2C_Missouri). The woman reported that she had renewed contact with Jetton via [Facebook](/source/Facebook)<ref>[https://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/missouristatenews/story/06CE163E8BF00C6F862576D5000E4AB7?Jetton case will go ahead - Associated Press - via St. Louis Post-Dispatch - February 25, 2010]</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Success Can Kill You: One man's story of success, failure and forgiveness.: Rodney Jetton: 9780991312627: Amazon.com: Books|isbn = 978-0991312627|last1 = Jetton|first1 = Rodney|date = March 2014| publisher=Targeted Communications }}</ref> to push for legislation on behalf of victims of sexual abuse spurred by her affiliation with the [Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network](/source/Rape%2C_Abuse_%26_Incest_National_Network). The initial reconnection was followed by what both parties described as flirtatious or sexual communication over the phone and text messages. Jetton's lawyer in a February 24, 2010 hearing released [text message](/source/text_message)s from the woman implying that she might be open to rough sex.<ref name=":14">{{Cite news|url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/columns/tony-messenger/messenger-from-jetton-to-greitens-a-lesson-in-the-political/article_39299076-6ce5-59af-ba7c-2c42de292757.html|title=Messenger: From Jetton to Greitens, a lesson in the political perils of pride|last=Messenger|first=Tony|work=stltoday.com|access-date=2018-04-26|language=en}}</ref> The woman at the hearing said the texts were meant to be playful and had been taken [out of context](/source/out_of_context), however it has been shown that she and Jetton established a [safeword](/source/safeword) of "green balloons", a common practice when engaging in [sadomasochistic](/source/Sadomasochism) sex.<ref name="kansascity.com" /><ref name="Question integrity">{{Cite news|url=https://www.riverfronttimes.com/newsblog/2010/02/26/newspapers-question-integrity-of-rod-jettons-accuser|title=Newspapers Question Integrity of Rod Jetton's Accuser|last=Hamilton|first=Keegan|work=Riverfront Times|access-date=2018-04-12|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Raises questions">{{Cite news|url=https://www.pitch.com/news/article/20581211/rod-jetton-assault-case-going-to-trial-newspaper-raises-questions-about-accuser|title=Rod Jetton assault case going to trial; newspaper raises questions about accuser|work=Kansas City Pitch|access-date=2018-04-12|language=en}}</ref>

According to the complaint Jetton met the woman, with whom he had previously engaged in "rough sex",<ref name="Gets Probation" /> on November 15 and 16, 2009 in [Sikeston, Missouri](/source/Sikeston%2C_Missouri)<ref name=":12" /> to have sadomasochistic sex. The woman said that she began 'fading' in and out and remembered losing consciousness several times" after drinking a glass of wine that Jetton had prepared for her. He is accused of "hitting her on the head and choking her, resulting in unconsciousness and the loss of the function of a part of her body" during the encounter. The woman claimed that her hands had been bound during a segment of the encounter and that she had struggled against the restraints, but photos of her wrists after the incident did not show any bruising on her wrists. Jetton is accused of telling the woman the following morning, "You should have said 'green balloons," a reference to the safeword they had established before meeting as a safety measure.<ref name="assault-kcstar" /><ref name="kansascity.com" /><ref name="Raises questions" /><ref name=":14" />

The woman reported the case two days after the incident.<ref name="kansascity.com">[http://www.kansascity.com/2010/02/24/1771834/assault-case-against-jetton-to.html Assault case to proceed against Jetton, former speaker of Missouri House - Kansas City Star - February 24, 2010]</ref> The [Missouri Highway Patrol](/source/Missouri_State_Highway_Patrol) initially recommended that the accuser file rape and assault charges against Jetton, however this recommendation was dropped after the accuser's story changed and investigators examined text messages that had been sent between the accuser and Jetton. It was also found that the accuser had a history of filing sexual assault charges and restraining orders before dropping them. While seeking full custody of his children, the accuser's ex-husband was quoted as saying that the accuser, who had attempted to file a restraining order against him, "suffers from various and sundry mental diseases and defects" and "is at risk of exposing the minor children to inappropriate behavior on her part and that of men with whom she continues to have casual sexual relationships with."<ref name="Raises questions" /><ref name="Question integrity" />

Following the arrest he closed Rod Jetton & Associate, which catered to many high-profile clients, including [Mitt Romney](/source/Mitt_Romney).<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20091023182346/http://www.rodjetton.com/clients.html Google Cache of Rod Jetton & Associates at www.rodjetton.com/clients.html].  Accessed December 8, 2009.</ref><ref>[http://primebuzz.kcstar.com/?q=node/20708 BREAKING: Jetton to close doors of consulting firm – primebuzz.kcstar.com]. Retrieved December 8, 2009.</ref><ref name="Isn't Afraid" /><ref name="SBJ Names Jetton">{{Cite news|url=https://www.lakeexpo.com/news/business/sbj-names-rodney-jetton-top-local-sales-marketing-executive-for/article_00307dd6-7343-11e1-8d0a-001871e3ce6c.html|title=SBJ names Rodney Jetton Top Local Sales & Marketing Executive for Southwest Missouri|work=LakeExpo.com|access-date=2018-04-11|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Ideasmyth" /><ref name="The Arena" /><ref name="Farm Investments" />

A trial on the case moved from October 2010 to February 3, 2011.<ref>[http://www.semissourian.com/story/1675514.html seMissourian.com: Local News: New trial date set in Jetton's assault case (10/26/10)<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and then to June 2, 2011.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hevern|first=Erin|date=January 26, 2011|url=https://www.semissourian.com/story/1697929.html|title=Jetton trial rescheduled for summer|work=[Southeast Missourian](/source/Southeast_Missourian)|location=[New Madrid, Missouri](/source/New_Madrid%2C_Missouri)|access-date=October 26, 2010}}</ref> In May 2011 it was reported that he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault,<ref name="Rosenbaum - Power Broker" /><ref name="SBJ Names Jetton" /><ref name="Former House Speaker returns" /><ref name=":12" /><ref name=":14" /> was placed on probation.  He is to pay $950 in restitution, and $300 in court costs.<ref name="Gets Probation">[https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/political-fix/article_4d575aea-87e3-11e0-8db8-001a4bcf6878.html Former House Speaker Jetton gets probation in assault case], by Jake Wagman, in St Louis Today, published May 26, 2011; retrieved December 19, 2018</ref><ref name="Former House Speaker returns" />

====2010 bribery investigation====
In early 2010 various state officials said they testified before a [grand jury](/source/grand_jury) investigation in the [United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri](/source/United_States_District_Court_for_the_Western_District_of_Missouri) in Kansas City.  Some of those testifying said they questioning the handling of a 2005 bill regulating [adult entertainment](/source/adult_entertainment).<ref name="Isn't Afraid" />  The bill introduced by [Matt Bartle](/source/Matt_Bartle) would have enacted a $5 per customer admission fee for strip clubs, adult movie houses and other [sexually oriented business](/source/sexually_oriented_business)es, along with a 20 percent tax on the revenue.  After the bill was introduced a political action committee with connections to Jetton adviser Don Lograsso accepted a $35,000 donation from the adult entertainment industry.<ref name="blogs.pitch.com">[http://blogs.pitch.com/plog/2010/02/rod_jetton_says_strip_club_bill_was_doomed_because_he_didnt_like_matt_bartle.php Rod Jetton says strip club bill was doomed because he didn't like Matt Bartle - Kansas City Pitch - February 3, 2010]</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/political-fix/update-sen-matt-bartle-appears-before-federal-grand-jury-in/article_50119f3b-d6fc-5669-a1f6-3fc161426962.html|title=Update: Sen. Matt Bartle appears before federal grand jury in KC|last=Messenger|first=Tony|work=stltoday.com|access-date=2018-04-11|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":12" /><ref name=":14" />

Jetton assigned the bill to a committee chaired by [Robert T. Johnson](/source/Robert_T._Johnson_(politician)) of [Lee's Summit, Missouri](/source/Lee's_Summit%2C_Missouri) and Johnson killed the bill.<ref>[https://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/missouristatenews/story/48984E1640CFABB4862576E200125D58?OpenDocument Former Mo. lawmaker testifies before grand jury - Associated Press via stltoday.com - March 10, 2010]</ref>  Jetton has said there was no [quid pro quo](/source/quid_pro_quo) and that he assigned the bill to an unfriendly committee because he did not like the bill.<ref name="blogs.pitch.com"/>

The Grand Jury adjourned without filing any indictments.<ref name="Isn't Afraid" /><ref name="SBJ Names Jetton" /><ref name=":12" />  Missouri law says the [statute of limitations](/source/statute_of_limitations) is 5 years in bribery cases and 2010 was five years after the event took place.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121025135034/http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9EL86QO0.htm Bribery indictment unlikely this month for Jetton - BusinessWeek<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

=== Electoral history ===

{{Election box begin no change
| title =2000 Republican Primary for Missouri's 156th District House of Representatives<ref name=":21">{{Cite news|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Missouri_House_of_Representatives_elections,_2000|title=Missouri House of Representatives elections, 2000 - Ballotpedia|access-date=2018-04-23|language=en-US}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Rod Jetton
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 1,800
| percentage = 55.76
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Tim Slayton
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 1,428
| percentage = 44.24
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 3,228
| percentage= 100
}}
{{Election box end}}{{Election box begin no change
| title =2000 General Election for Missouri's 156th District House of Representatives<ref name=":21" />}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Rod Jetton
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 8,281
| percentage = 57.5
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Katherine Golden
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 6,119
| percentage = 42.5
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 14,400
| percentage= 100
}}
{{Election box end}}{{Election box begin no change
| title =2002 Republican Primary for Missouri's 156th District House of Representatives<ref name=":22">{{Cite news|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Missouri_House_of_Representatives_elections,_2002|title=Missouri House of Representatives elections, 2002 - Ballotpedia|access-date=2018-04-23|language=en-US}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Rod Jetton
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 0
| percentage = 100
}}

{{Election box total no change
| votes = 0
| percentage= 100
}}
{{Election box end}}{{Election box begin no change
| title =2002 General Election for Missouri's 156th District House of Representatives<ref name=":22" />}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Rod Jetton
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 0
| percentage = 100
}}

{{Election box total no change
| votes = 0
| percentage= 100
}}
{{Election box end}}{{Election box begin no change
| title =2004 Republican Primary for Missouri's 156th District House of Representatives<ref name=":23">{{Cite news|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Missouri_House_of_Representatives_elections,_2004|title=Missouri House of Representatives elections, 2004 - Ballotpedia|access-date=2018-04-23|language=en-US}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Rod Jetton
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 0
| percentage = 100
}}

{{Election box total no change
| votes = 0
| percentage= 100
}}
{{Election box end}}{{Election box begin no change
| title =2004 General Election for Missouri's 156th District House of Representatives<ref name=":23" />}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Rod Jetton
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 10,031
| percentage = 65.08
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = John Howser
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 5,383
| percentage = 34.92
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 15,414
| percentage= 100
}}
{{Election box end}}{{Election box begin no change
| title =2006 Republican Primary for Missouri's 156th District House of Representatives<ref name=":24">{{Cite news|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Missouri_House_of_Representatives_elections,_2006|title=Missouri House of Representatives elections, 2006 - Ballotpedia|access-date=2018-04-23|language=en-US}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Rod Jetton
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 0
| percentage = 100
}}

{{Election box total no change
| votes = 0
| percentage= 100
}}
{{Election box end}}{{Election box begin no change
| title =2006 General Election for Missouri's 156th District House of Representatives<ref name=":24" />}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Rod Jetton
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 7,503
| percentage = 56.51
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Michael Winder
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 5,774
| percentage = 43.49
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 13,277
| percentage= 100
}}
{{Election box end}}

== Post-Politics ==
After leaving politics, Jetton fell into financial trouble, stating "I got an application in to drive a garbage truck, and I got turned down to sell appliances, ... I've got no reputation. I have no money. I've got nothing" to [Tony Messenger](/source/Tony_Messenger) of the [St. Louis Post-Dispatch](/source/St._Louis_Post-Dispatch).<ref name=":24" /> These difficulties were eventually rectified when he joined Schultz Surveying and Engineering Inc. He has since continued to have a career in content marketing and crisis management.<ref name=":16" /> He has also become the author of several books on biblical teachings and how to recover from personal crisis.<ref name="SBJ Names Jetton" /><ref name="The Arena" />

Jetton attributed his failings to alcoholism, disconnection from his faith, and a lack of balance in his life. He has said that his time in the House of Representatives was a hectic self-indulgent period, that increasingly led him to a lifestyle standing in opposition to his personal beliefs. The restoration of personal Christian values and a more balanced lifestyle are reoccurring themes in his writing. He has credited support from his family and his returning faith in God for helping him to rebuild his life.<ref name="Former House Speaker returns" /><ref name="Rosenbaum - Power Broker" /><ref name="Isn't Afraid" />

=== Schultz Surveying and Engineering Inc. ===
Jetton was the director of marketing for Schultz Surveying and Engineering Inc. from 2010 to 2013.<ref name="The Arena" /> During this period, the company made the [Inc. 500/5000](/source/Inc._500) list three times, increased federal revenue from $800,000 in 2009 to over $3 million by 2011, and reached #54th on the ZweigWhite Hot Firm's List, making it the second fastest growing engineering company in Missouri to be placed on the ZweigWhite Hot Firm's List. The company's owners, attributed much of the company's success to Jetton's aggressive marketing efforts, especially the customer database he created, the revisions he made to the company's website, and the contact plan that he helped to develop. For his work, Jetton was recognized as the top marketing director in Southwest Missouri by the Springfield Business Journal.<ref name="Ideasmyth" /><ref name="SBJ Names Jetton" /><ref name="Farm Investments" /><ref name=":17" /><ref name=":19" />

=== Missouri Times ===
In 2013 Jetton co-founded ''The Missouri Times'',<ref name=":15" /><ref name=":17" /> a newspaper intended to report on [Jefferson City](/source/Jefferson_City%2C_Missouri) politics in an unbiased and bipartisan manner. The paper was marketed to lobbyists, political insiders, trade associations, and others involved directly with the Missouri political process; to that end, the newspaper featured a lobbyist, trade association, or staffer in every issue. The paper was presented both online and in printed form.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/rod-jetton-s-new-venture-journalism/article_243ddbfd-0551-5c90-96e2-0df7ba3c5c4a.html|title=Rod Jetton's new venture: Journalism|last=Young|first=Virginia|work=stltoday.com|access-date=2018-04-26|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":22" />

=== Second Act Strategies ===
Jetton is a partner in Second Act Strategies, an organization that provides team building seminars focused on crisis management. The seminars are led by a bipartisan collection of "recovering" political figures, who have experienced professional crises.<ref name=":16">{{Cite news|url=http://rodjetton.com/about/|title=About Rod|date=2011-10-10|work=Rod Jetton|access-date=2018-04-26|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":17" /> Instruction, based on The Recovering Politician's Twelve Step Program to Survive Crisis, leads participants through a simulated crisis scenario that is developed based on an organization's specific mission and culture. The skills presented during the seminars include: crisis assessment techniques, resource planning, on-camera media and message development training, ethics instruction, advice on building strategic alliances with opinion leaders and repairing reputation damage, leadership training on how to remove emotion from decisions during high-stakes-crisis situations, strategies to rebuild trust post-crisis, and online strategies for crisis diffusion.<ref name=":23" />

=== Targeted Communications ===
In 2012, Jetton opened Targeted Communications, a content marketing company that focuses on connecting with customers and building customer relations.<ref name="Ideasmyth" /><ref name=":16" /><ref name=":17" /><ref name=":19" /> Targeted Communications assists with the development of digital marketing strategies and the authorship of targeted content. Their speciality is the development of contact plans that assist with customer acquisition, retention, and relations.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://rodjetton.com/targeted-communications/|title=Targeted Communications|date=2014-05-06|work=Rod Jetton|access-date=2018-04-26|language=en-US}}</ref>

== Authorship ==
In 2013, Jetton co-authored ''The Recovering Politician's Twelve Step Program to Survive Crisis'' along with thirteen other authors. The book, featured on [MSNBC](/source/MSNBC)'s "[Hardball with Chris Matthews](/source/Hardball_with_Chris_Matthews)"<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://therecoveringpolitician.com/the-rp/8696|title=Chris Matthews Plugs "The Recovering Politician's Twelve Step Program to Survive Crisis" on Hardball|work=The Recovering Politician|access-date=2018-04-12|language=en-US}}</ref> and HuffPost Live,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/jonathanmiller/new-years-resolutions-fro_1_b_988883.html|title=New Year's Resolutions From a Recovering Politician|last=Jonathan_Miller|date=2011-10-04|website=Huffington Post|language=en-US|access-date=2018-04-12}}</ref> featured a number of "recovering politicians" writing about how to manage personal crises.<ref name="Isn't Afraid" /><ref>{{Cite book|title=The Recovering Politician's Twelve Step Program to Survive Crisis|last1=Davis|first1=Artur|last2=Atkinson|first2=Jason|last3=Steele|first3=Michael|last4=Levy|first4=Steve|last5=Borders|first5=Lisa|date=2013-05-29|publisher=The Recovering Politician|isbn=9780615819044|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Ideasmyth" /><ref name=":15">{{Cite news|url=https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/up4e/Former-MO-House-Speaker-Rod-Jetton-CoWrites-Book|title=Former MO House Speaker, Rod Jetton, Co-Writes Book|date=2013-06-06|work=ShowMe Times|access-date=2018-04-12}}</ref> His first book was followed later in 2013 with ''Son of a Preacher Man: Growing up in the Seventies and Eighties,'' an autobiography that detailed Jetton's struggle when trying to follow the teachings of his father who was a [Southern Baptist](/source/Southern_Baptist_Convention) preacher.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Son of a Preacher Man: Growing up in the Seventies and Eighties|last=Jetton|first=Rodney|date=2013-12-18|publisher=Targeted Communications|isbn=9780991312603|language=en}}</ref> ''Success Can Kill You: One man's story of success, failure and forgiveness'', published in 2014, explorers Jetton's political success and eventual disgrace; examining the causes of his behavior and his eventual return to [Christian](/source/Christianity) teachings.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Success Can Kill You: One man's story of success, failure and forgiveness.|last=Jetton|first=Rodney|date=2014-03-21|publisher=Targeted Communications|isbn=9780991312627|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Rosenbaum - Power Broker" /> Jetton's 2016 book, Prayer Warrior Bootcamp, examines [biblical](/source/biblical) teachings about [prayer](/source/prayer) and prayer techniques.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Prayer Warrior Bootcamp|last1=Jetton|first1=Rodney|last2=Murray|first2=Andrew|last3=Bounds|first3=E. M.|date=2016-07-10|publisher=Targeted Communications|isbn=9780991312634|edition= 1st|language=en}}</ref> Cussing Christians, written in 2017, looks at biblical references to [profanity](/source/profanity).<ref>{{Cite book|title=Cussing Christians: We Love Jesus (but we cuss a little) / A short discussion on the language we use outside of church|last=Jetton|first=Rodney|date=2017-02-15|publisher=Targeted Communications|isbn=9780991312641|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://rodjetton.com/cussing-christians/|title=Cussing Christians|date=2016-08-18|work=Rod Jetton|access-date=2018-04-12|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/v59b/Cussing-Christians-by-Rod-Jetton|title=Cussing Christians by Rod Jetton|date=2016-08-22|work=ShowMe Times|access-date=2018-04-12}}</ref>

=== Bibliography ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+

!Title
!Year
!ISBN
|-
|The Recovering Politician's Twelve Step Program to Survive Crisis
|2013
|978-0615819044<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Recovering Politician's Twelve Step Program to Survive Crisis|last=Rodney|first=Jetton|year=2013|publisher=Recovering Politician |isbn=978-0615819044}}</ref>
|-
|Son of a Preacher Man: Growing up in the Seventies and Eighties
|2013
|978-0991312603<ref>{{Cite book|title=Son of a Preacher Man: Growing up in the Seventies and Eighties|last=Rodney|first=Jetton|publisher=Targeted Communications|year=2013|isbn=978-0991312603}}</ref>
|-
|Success Can Kill You: One Man's Story of Success, Failure and Forgiveness
|2014
|978-0991312627<ref>{{Cite book|title=Success can kill you : one man's story of success, failure, faith and forgiveness|last=Rodney|first=Jetton|date = March 2014|isbn=9780991312627|location=Lexington, KY|oclc=890465566}}</ref>
|-
|Cussing Christians: We Love Jesus (but we cuss a little)
|2017
|978-0991312641<ref>{{Cite book|title=Success can kill you : one man's story of success, failure, faith and forgiveness|last=Rodney|first=Jetton|date = March 2014|isbn=978-0991312627|location=Lexington, KY|oclc=890465566}}</ref>
|-
|Prayer Warrior Bootcamp
|2016
|978-0991312634<ref>{{Cite book|title=Prayer Warrior Bootcamp|last=Jetton|first=Rodney|publisher=Targeted Communications|year=2016|isbn=978-0991312634}}</ref>
|}

== Awards ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!Award
!Year
!Organization
|-
|One Year VIP Business Achievement Award
|1998
|Bollinger County Chamber of Commerce<ref name=":21" />
|-
|"Friend of Agriculture" Award
|2002
|Missouri Farm Bureau<ref name="Farm Investments" /><ref name="The Arena" /><ref name=":19" />
|-
|"Friend of Agriculture" Award
|2004
|Missouri Farm Bureau<ref name="Farm Investments" /><ref name="The Arena" /><ref name=":19" />
|-
|"Friend of Agriculture" Award
|2006
|Missouri Farm Bureau<ref name="Farm Investments" /><ref name="The Arena" /><ref name=":19" />
|-
|Lewis & Clark Statesman Award
|2003
|Regional Chamber & Growth Association<ref name="Farm Investments" /><ref name="The Arena" /><ref name=":19" />
|-
|Lewis & Clark Statesman Award
|2005
|Regional Chamber & Growth Association<ref name="Farm Investments" /><ref name="The Arena" /><ref name=":19" />
|-
|Lewis & Clark Statesman Award
|2008
|Regional Chamber & Growth Association<ref name="Farm Investments" /><ref name="The Arena" /><ref name=":19" />
|-
|"Spirit of Enterprise" Award
|2003
|Missouri Chamber of Commerce<ref name="Farm Investments" /><ref name="The Arena" /><ref name=":19" />
|-
|Eagle Award
|2003
|Eagle Forum<ref name="The Arena" /><ref name=":19" />
|-
|Legislative Award
|2005
|St. Louis Business Journal<ref name="The Arena" /><ref name=":19" />
|-
|Legislative Award
|2007
|St. Louis Business Journal<ref name="The Arena" /><ref name=":19" />
|-
|Guardian of Small Business Award
|2005
|National Federation of Independent Businesses<ref name="Farm Investments" /><ref name=":19" />
|-
|Pachyderm of the Year
|2005
|Missouri Republican Party<ref name="The Arena" /><ref name=":19" />
|-
|Legislative Leadership Award
|2006
|Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives<ref name="Farm Investments" /><ref name="The Arena" /><ref name=":19" />
|-
|Legislator of the Year
|2007
|Missouri Retired Teacher Association<ref name="The Arena" /><ref name=":19" />
|-
|Distinguished Service to Missouri Bicycling Award
|2008
|Missouri Bicycle Federation<ref name="The Arena" /><ref name=":19" />
|-
|Top Marketing Director in Southwest Missouri
|2011
|Springfield Business Journal<ref name="Farm Investments" /><ref name="Ideasmyth" /><ref name=":19" />
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{succession box
| before=[Catherine Hanaway](/source/Catherine_Hanaway)
| title=[Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives](/source/Speaker_of_the_Missouri_House_of_Representatives)
| years=2005&ndash;2009
| after=[Ron Richard](/source/Ron_Richard)}}
{{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jetton, Rod}}
Category:1967 births
Category:Living people
Category:Southwest Baptist University alumni
Category:People from De Soto, Missouri
Category:People from Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Category:Speakers of the Missouri House of Representatives
Category:Republican Party members of the Missouri House of Representatives
Category:Missouri politicians convicted of crimes
Category:People from Charleston, Missouri
Category:State and local political sex scandals in the United States
Category:21st-century members of the Missouri General Assembly

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Rod Jetton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Jetton) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Jetton?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.