REP. J.M. (JIM) WHORTON

91st General Assembly

Rep. Jim Whorton, a Democrat, represents Daviess, Grundy, Harrison and Mercer counties and part of Sullivan County (District 3) in the Missouri House of Representatives.

Rep. Whorton was elected in 2001 to fill an unexpired term.

In addition to his legislative duties, Rep. Whorton owns and operates Trenton Auto Sales with his wife Beverly. He also grows Christmas trees in Minnesota and co-owns and operates the family farm near Hickory, which has been in the Whorton family over 100 years. Previously he served nine years in the USANG and Reserves, with specialties in aviation maintenance, military police and army security agency. He resigned his commission of CW2.

Active in party politics including serving as district and state convention delegate with the DFL (Democratic Farm Labor) Party in Minnesota, Rep. Whorton worked for 30 years in forestry and natural resources in South Missouri, West Virginia and Minnesota.

Rep. Whorton is a past or present member of the following organizations: Wesley United Methodist Church; Trenton Masonic Lodge #111; Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce; National Rifle Association, life member; board of directors, RCC, Trenton, Mo.; Trenton American Legion Post #31; Trenton Elk’s Lodge #801; Grundy County & Missouri Farm Bureau; Missouri Automobile Dealers’ Association; and the City Park Board, Trenton, Mo. He was elected to five consecutive terms as school board director in Carlton, Minn., and served in various offices, including club president of Lion’s Club in Richwood, W. Va. He assisted in chartering a new Lion’s Club at Cook, Minn. Rep. Whorton was also a member of the Society of American Foresters and was elected to several chapter and state offices including chairman at both levels. He was a member of the Minnesota Timber Producers’ Association where he served on the board of directors and is a member of the Missouri, Minnesota and National Christmas Tree Growers’ Association.

Born and raised on the family farm near Hickory in Southwestern Grundy County, Rep. Whorton attended eight years at Estes—a one room school—where he was active in 4-H and a conservation program called Missouri Nature Knights. A graduate of Trenton High School, he served as student body president and was active in FFA and numerous other activities. Rep. Whorton received his bachelor of science in agriculture from the University of Missouri specializing in forest management and ag economics. While at the university he was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho agricultural fraternity. Rep. Whorton did post-graduate work in agriculture economics, adult education and human relations at the University of Missouri and University of Minnesota.

Currently Rep. Whorton resides in Trenton with his wife, Beverly.