State Rep. Todd Richardson to Serve as Majority Floor Leader for 98th General Assembly
JEFFERSON CITY – Following a tidal wave of support that saw Republicans take 118 of the 163 seats in the Missouri House of Representatives, members of the historic Republican Caucus met Wednesday afternoon to select state Rep. Todd Richardson to serve as Majority Floor Leader for the 98th General Assembly.
Richardson will take on the duties of the position when the House convenes for the 2015 legislative session in January. He will replace state Rep. John J. Diehl, Jr., who was selected by the caucus to serve as the next Speaker of the House.
After being unanimously selected by the 118-member Republican caucus, Richardson said his focus in his new role will be on working closely with his colleagues to advance their priority issues through the legislative process.
“This is the largest Republican majority in the history of the State and I am humbled by the outpouring of support I have received. I am honored to have been elected to serve as the Majority Leader and I am looking forward to working toward making this State a better place to make a living and raise a family,” said Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff.
Richardson added, “I believe Missourians are tired of failed policies out of Washington DC and are looking for more common sense solutions here in Missouri, I believe this majority can deliver them.”
As House Majority Floor Leader, Richardson will set the legislative calendar and determine which legislation makes it to the floor for debate and when. The Majority Floor Leader also controls the flow of business on the House floor and is considered the second most powerful position in the Missouri House of Representatives.
The 98th General Assembly will convene for the 2015 legislative session Wednesday, Jan. 7 at noon.