State leadership

Southeast Missouri has had its fair share of leaders in state government over the past several years. When the Missouri Legislature convenes in January, our part of the state will once again be well represented.

The Missouri Senate elected Sen. Rob Mayer, R-Dexter, to president pro tem, the top position in the chamber. Mayer, who represents the 25th District, was first elected to the Senate in 2004 and again in 2008. He previously served two terms in the Missouri House of Representatives.

In the Missouri House of Representatives, House Majority Leader Steven Tilley, R-Perryville, was elected to be the next House speaker. Tilley is entering his fourth term in the House.

Cape Girardeau's Peter Kinder continues to serve the state admirably as the lieutenant governor.

Mayer, a lawyer, and Tilley, an optometrist, both received their undergraduate degrees from Southeast Missouri State University, and Kinder also attended the university.

Southeast Missouri is blessed to have men and women who not only choose to serve in state government but also ascend to leadership positions.

We look forward to good things to come from these leaders.