Teresa L. Hensley (born 1959) is an American lawyer who is the former prosecuting attorney for Cass County, Missouri. She was the unsuccessful Democratic Party nominee for Missouri's 4th congressional district in 2012 and for Missouri Attorney General in 2016.
Law career Hensley earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law, before teaching a criminal-law class at William Jewell College. Hensley joined the private sector in 1991 and was partner in the law firm Hensley and Hensley along with her husband, Kenneth.
In December 2004, Governor Bob Holden appointed Hensley to be Cass County prosecutor following the resignation of incumbent Chris Koster, who had just won a seat in the state senate. She took office on January 6, 2005, and won a full term in 2006, defeating Republican Jeffrey Cox.Cass County prosecutor. The Kansas City Star. November 8, 2006. She was reelected without opposition in 2010.ELECTION RESULTS. The Star-Herald. November 4, 2010. Hensley lost her 2014 reelection bid to Republican Ben Butler by a margin of 6 points.Ben Butler wins prosecutor race in Cass County. Bethany Republican-Clipper. November 12, 2014.
Political campaigns Hensley first ran for office in 2002 for the Missouri House of Representatives in the 123rd District. She ran on a campaign of increasing teacher pay, shrinking classroom sizes, and hiring more teachers.Ita, Eyobong (November 2, 2002). Two vie to succeed Ed Hartzler in 123rd District. The Kansas City Star. She narrowly lost the election to Republican Brian Baker.123rd District. The Kansas City Star. November 6, 2002.
In 2012, Hensley ran to represent Missouri's 4th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. She lost by a margin of 25 points to incumbent Republican Vicky Hartzler.
Hensley ran for Missouri Attorney General in 2016. Despite her past losses, she claimed she had a better chance of winning a statewide election.Hensley enters Missouri attorney general's race. The Daily Journal. August 1, 2015. She ended up losing the election to Republican Josh Hawley.Salter, Jim (November 9, 2016). Trump gives GOP 5th consecutive win in Missouri. The Springfield News-Leader.
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