Koenig graduated from Marquette High School, which is in Chesterfield, in 2001. He later when to Lindenwood University with a scholarship in cross country. He majored in Business Administration and Minored in philosophy. He has co-owned a paint company with his father since 1997. He is also the owner of a construction company which focuses on roofing and painting. In addition, he is also a licensed insurance adjuster.
Political career
In 2008, Koenig successfully ran to represent the 88th district in the Missouri House of Representatives. In the Republican primary, he defeated Shamed Dogan and Chris Howard with 44.4% of the vote. Koenig was unopposed in the general election. In his 2010 reelection campaign, he was opposed in the primary by Ryan B. Meyer. Koenig won the primary with 88.4% of the vote and then was unopposed in the general election. He was one of 35 state representatives to sign a "no new taxes" pledge. Koenig won a third term in 2012 with 59.2% of the vote, against Democrat William Pinkston. He won a fourth term in 2014 with 63.5% of the vote, against Democrat William Pinkston. In 2016 he was elected as State Senator from the 15th District, defeating Rick Stream in the Republican primary 53.1% to 46.9%, and Democrat Stephen Eagleton 61.1% to 38.9%.
As a state senator, Koenig has sponsored or co-sponsored a number of bills to restrict legal abortions, 7 as of the 2019 session. Notably, Koenig is opposed to exceptions for rape or incest. Bills sponsored include 'heartbeat' legislation banning abortions after a heartbeat is detected and a blanket ban on abortions after 8 weeks, including for Down Syndrome. In the 2019 session, Koenig was responsible for handling the passage of HB 126 in the State Senate, a bill which bans abortions after 8 weeks in all cases except medical emergency with penalties of 5-15 years in prison.
Promoting Creation Science/Intelligent Design in public schools
As a representative, Koenig made several legislative attempts to inject creation science into the public school Science curricula, specifically in the fields of Biology and Chemistry. On May 15, 2015, the Koenig-sponsored House Bill No. 486 was allowed to die in committee after the Legislature adjourned. Bill No. 486, which was introduced as an Amendment to Section A. Chapter 170, RSMo in the First Regular Session of the 98th General Assembly of the Missouri State House of Representatives, proposed allowing teachers the freedom to introduce "differences of opinion about controversial issues, including biological and chemical evolution." Key to this provision was language preventing responsible educational authorities from intervening in the teaching of creationist ideals presented as scientific inquiry. According to the National Center for Science Education, Koenig was the sponsor of similar bills, namely: HB 1587 in 2014, HB 179 in 2013, HB 1276 in 2012, and HB 195 in 2011. All failed. Koenig also cosponsored House Bill 1472 in 2014, requiring equal time for "intelligent design" in Missouri's public schools, including introductory courses at colleges and universities. He cosponsored the similar HB 291 in 2013 and HB 1227 in 2012; both failed.
