Representative Mark A. Sharp, a Democrat, represents Jackson County (District 36) in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was elected in a special election in November 2019. Born and raised in south Kansas City, the same community he now represents, Sharp is a proud graduate of the Hickman Mills School District and earned his diploma from Hickman Mills High School in 2004. A student-athlete, Sharp received multiple athletic scholarships in football and baseball. He ultimately accepted a baseball scholarship to Clark Atlanta University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing in December 2009. Following college, Sharp played professionally in independent leagues, including the New York State Independent League and the Arizona Independent Winter League, before transitioning into education. As a teacher and coach, he continued his passion for athletics while mentoring young people, drawing from the positive influence educators and sports had on his own life. Sharp worked as an educator for five years before running for State Representative in 2019. As a legislator, Sharp has focused on reducing violent crime and strengthening public safety. He was the lead sponsor of Blair’s Law, a firearm accountability measure passed in 2024 and signed into law by Mike Parson. He has also led efforts to strengthen Missouri’s DUI laws to improve safety on the state’s roadways. In 2022, at the conclusion of his freshman term, Sharp was recognized by his Democratic colleagues as the Freshman Crime Prevention and Public Safety Champion. That same year, he was named Legislator of the Year by Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Sharp has served as Chair of the Missouri House Special Committee on Urban Issues for four legislative sessions. He is also a member of the National Conference of State Legislatures Law and Public Safety Committee and the The Council of State Governments South Human Services and Public Safety Committee. In 2021, Sharp was honored by the Hickman Mills School District as a Distinguished Alumnus. In 2025, his alma mater, Clark Atlanta University, recognized him with its 40 Under 40 Young Alumni Award for his service in the Missouri Legislature.
