|
|
Published September 12, 2007 07:24 pm - State Rep. Ron Richard, R-Joplin, was elected by House Republicans on Wednesday to serve as Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives in 2009.
State Rep. Ron Richard elected to House speaker post
By Susan Redden
sredden@joplinglobe.com
State Rep. Ron Richard, R-Joplin, was elected by House Republicans on Wednesday to serve as Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives in 2009.
“It’s a long road since City Hall,” Richard, a former Joplin mayor, said after the vote in which he won out over state Rep. Allen Icet to succeed current Speaker Rod Jetton.
First elected to the House in 2002, Richard is assured the top job in 2009 if Republicans maintain control of the body in elections in 2008. For the next year, he will serve as speaker-elect and work alongside Jetton.
Richard said he is “very humbled” by his election Wednesday as part of the legislature’s veto session.
“I’m not sure how I feel otherwise,” he said just after the vote. “We worked hard for the entire state, and we’ll keep doing that.”
Richard expressed his thanks to a team of about 22 legislators who worked on his behalf. A speech nominating him for the post was given by Rep. Jay Wasson, R-Nixa, and a former Nixa mayor.
“He’s a leader who has what it takes to do the job,” Wasson said. “He’s worked hard for every part of this state and he’s a straight-shooter, not a game-player.”
Richard’s election strengthens the position for the region in the General Assembly, because state Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, recently was named chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The last time Joplin area legislators held top jobs in both bodies was in 1985, when then Sen. Richard Webster, of Carthage, was elected minority leader in the Senate and state Rep. Roy Cagle, of Joplin, was minority leader in the House. But, both the lawmakers were Republicans, while Democrats held the majority in both houses.
Cagle, who became a lobbyist after 12 years in the House, was in Jefferson City on Wednesday and outside the room where the caucus vote was taken.
“I think he’s very deserving and very capable,” he said of Richard. “I’ve been in this business for 30 years and he’s about as good as I’ve ever seen in working with people, including folks on the other side of the aisle. I know he has fans among Democrats, too.”
Posts held by Richard and Nodler will put the area “in a very strong position” in Jefferson City, Cagle said.
Richard said the vote ended “a tough couple of weeks” of final campaigning by him and Icet, who is chairman of the House Budget Committee. Icet will remain budget chairman, he said.
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
Announcements



: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:


 |
|
TRUCK DRIVERS NEEDED
for local construction project, must have CDL and experience on construction site belly dumps. 417-206-0930....>MORE
See all ads |
|
HONDA 2001 CIVIC EX
HONDA, 2001 Civic EX, 4 door, automatic, 94,000 miles, $5800; 1998 Accord, 4 door, $4200; 1999 Honda Prelude, automatic...>MORE
1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM
2 door, spoiler, sharp, loaded, automatic, air, CD, extra nice, $2600. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
2003 SATURN L200
4 door, 4 cylinder, 127,000 miles, $4495. 417-434-0925...>MORE
TOYOTA 2004 TACOMA PRERUNNER
Toyota, 2004 Tacoma Prerunner, TRD off road, double cab, V6, new tires, CD, bed liner, lid cover, 100,000 miles, excelle...>MORE
2001 DODGE RAM 1500
SLT/shell, 71,000 miles, 5.9l V8, tow package +, super condition reduced $7690. 417-358-5395....>MORE
1998 CHEVROLET S10
4 cylinder, 5 speed, high miles, $1750. 417-214-0022....>MORE
OLDSMOBILE 2003 SILHOUETTE VAN
OLDSMOBILE, 2003 Silhouette mini van, 107,000 miles, scooter/wheelchair hoist, nice, $7000. (417)776-3219....>MORE
1989 CHEVROLET STEPSIDE
350, V8, custom flames, runs great, $2500. 417-208-6717...>MORE
HONDA, 2007 FIT SPORT,
customized interior package, automatic, air, AM/FM/CD, cruise, great mpg, low miles, excellent condition, $11,800. (417)...>MORE
2002 FORD TAURUS SE
nice car, 3.0 liter V6, $2900. 417-850-0731....>MORE
See all ads |
|
525 E. 41ST, JOPLIN, MO
to be sold at auction December 5th or before. Lovely all red brick home on large corner. 4 bedroom, 2 bath, double...>MORE
3 ACRES
3 ACRES more/less with pond. Nice park-like setting, just minutes from Range Line. Close to area of newer homes. $19,900...>MORE
Deerfield Estates
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE
NEWER 3 BR/2 BA
Lots of upgrades and great location. $149,000 but all offers considered. 903 Katlin, Carl Junction. Pictures www.fsboloc...>MORE
See all ads |
|
(2) TEACUP CHIHUAHUA
APRI puppies. (417)673-1997....>MORE
DIAMOND SOLITAIRE
Pear-shaped, one carat, diamond solitaire in gold setting. $2,000. Please call 417-825-3238...>MORE
ENGLISH BULLDOG PUPPY
male, AKC, fawn/white, champion bloodlines, $900 or best offer. (417)396-3340...>MORE
POODLES
POODLES, standard pups, born 10/10, registered, shots, wormed, family raised. Adorable personalities! 417-673-3892....>MORE
I WANT TO BUY
6’ t-post, 5’ wire. Call for details. (417)396-1339...>MORE
5TH WHEEL
5TH WHEEL, 2004 Prowler Regal, 26’, 2 slides, loaded, nice. (620)674-2127....>MORE
MALTESE PUPPIES ADORABLE!!
6 weeks old Thanksgiving. 2 boys and 2 girls. Shots, wormed, and vet checked. Healthy, active, and loved! Great Ch...>MORE
INDIAN HEAD PENNIES
INDIAN HEAD PENNIES, 35% Civil War II nickels, V nickels, Buffalo nickels, lots of other coins. Garage full of antiques ...>MORE
REWARD $50,000 REWARD
Offered for any information leading to conviction of any person or persons known to have been involved in alleged ...>MORE
GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFT!
1000 thread 100% Egyptian cotton bed sheets, all sizes, 10 colors, $35/set. (417)782-6639....>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|