A Democrat, Lavender represented the 90th district from 2015 to 2021, which comprised all or part of the cities of Glendale, Kirkwood, Oakland, Sunset Hills, Warson Woods, and Webster Groves in St. Louis County.
Her interest in government service developed while, as a teenager, she participated in Girls State, a leadership program sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary.
[5] Lavender ran for office the first time in 2008 as the unsuccessful Democratic candidate vying for the Missouri State Representative District-90 seat against Republican incumbent Rick Stream.
[7] After her unsuccessful run for Missouri Senate District 15, she moved to a new home a few miles west in the city of Manchester, and then ran for the House for a fourth time, winning in 2022.
For example, she proposed red flag House Bill 40, which modifies restraining orders by adding provisions that allow the confiscation of firearms from individuals a court deems to be a danger to themselves or others.
She voted against House Bill 161 which prevents the school year from starting in the Fall prior to 14 days before the first Monday in September.
[21] Also she cast a vote in favor of House Bill 487 authorizing a pharmacist to dispense self-administered oral contraceptives to a person who is 18-years or older.