In 2012 she ran as a Democratic candidate for the newly created Missouri House 3rd district,[1] but was defeated by Republican and former state representative Nate Walker.
[2] During the 94th General Assembly regular session, McClanahan sponsored House Bill 627, which "requires the installation of carbon monoxide detection devices in certain residential properties.
McClanahan was defeated for the 2nd district seat by United States Air Force veteran, Zachary Wyatt of Novinger.
"[4] Evidence later showed that the Missouri State Republican Party was responsible for the robocalls and paid Survey St. Louis LLC $2,135.25 for the service.
[6] Similar purchases were made by the Missouri Republican Party in support of four other State Representative candidates: John W. Cauthorn, Jay Houghton, Craig Redmon, and Lindell Shumake[6] Following Zachary Wyatt's withdrawal from the race for the newly created Missouri House 3rd District in April, 2012, McClanahan announced her intent to seek the position and return to state government.
Retired Marine Corps Major Duane Crawford, a well-known Republican and popular former teacher/coach from Unionville, Missouri, claimed that McClanahan did not have authorization to recycle his image and a quote he gave when he supported McClanahan in her 2008 campaign for the Missouri House 2nd District seat.
[7] On November 6, 2012, McClanahan suffered her second straight defeat as she lost to Republican Nate Walker by over 2,000 votes.
Rebecca Payne McClanahan lives in Kirksville, Missouri, with her husband Marvin, a retired long-time radio host at KIRX and KTUF.