By Susan Redden

sredden@joplinglobe.com

State Rep. Ron Richard, of Joplin, is a candidate for the speaker of the House position to be filled in January 2009.

Richard announced his bid for the seat during a state Lincoln Days event in January. He said the campaign is starting early because the election for the post will be held in September, during the veto session of the current legislative term.

He said the early election was proposed by Rod Jetton, the current speaker, and endorsed by the Republican caucus in the House.

“Because of term limits, the speaker said whoever is elected ought to have a year to get acquainted with all the duties and issues, and travel the state and help recruit candidates and get them elected,” Richard said.

If he is successful, Richard would be the first lawmaker from the region to hold the top leadership post since 1954, when Richard Webster, of Carthage, served as speaker when he was in the House.

That perspective was offered by Gary Burton and Chuck Surface, former state representatives from Joplin.

“It would be a big thing, and a big benefit to the area,” said Burton, who now is a partner with Burton-Liese Associates, a lobbying firm that is active in Jefferson City.

“The speaker appoints all the committee chairs, and has a direct influence on what legislation will and won’t be heard,” Burton said. “He works with the Senate president on legislation there, and works closely with the governor.”

Burton said Richard’s election would give local priorities added attention at the state level. He said he believes Richard stands a good chance for success “because he’s always worked to be inclusive, and he’s traveled all over the state to help people on economic development issues.”

“It would be an economic benefit for the whole state to have him as speaker, because he’s done so much for job creation and economic development,” Surface said.

Richard said he has gained support from a number of House members.

“I’ve been able to work with people from all over the state on all sorts of issues,” he said. “If I’m elected speaker, my goal would be to maintain a Republican majority and to continue to build partnerships for people to work together on all the issues, like transportation, health care, higher education and tax cuts.”

As chairman of the House Job Creation and Economic Development Committee, Richard has worked on economic development projects throughout the state, and has accompanied Govs. Bob Holden and Matt Blunt on meetings with Japanese business interests.