Area builds political clout in capital through legislators

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Since the early 1990s, Southeast Missouri has enjoyed growing clout in state government.

The trend began when Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh of Cape Girardeau was named to the Missouri Supreme Court in 1992. It continued with the later appointments of Joe Driskill of Doniphan as Department of Economic Development director and Bekki Cook of Cape Girardeau as secretary of state.

In more recent times, the region's influence spread to the legislative branch, where Southeast Missourians hold three top leadership posts.

After this year, all three legislative leaders will move on, but that doesn't mean the area's clout will diminish.

Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, will be ending his 12-year tenure in the upper chamber, where he spent the last four years as leader.

"As a supporter of term limits, I'm ready to say it's time for someone else to take a stab at this," Kinder said. "I've had my run at it, and it's been enormously gratifying."

However, Kinder could return to the Senate next year as lieutenant governor -- the chamber's presiding officer.

But he may have to get past another Cape Girardeau resident to get there. Cook, out of politics since 2001, is seeking the Democratic nomination for the post. If Cook and Kinder win their respective primaries, they would meet in the November elections.

"I think people will notice more of what is going on in that race because they will know one of us or both of us," Cook said. "It will raise the profile of the race in this region."

In the lower chamber, House Speaker Pro Tem Rod Jetton, R-Marble Hill, is poised to trade in his No. 2 position for the top post. If Republicans maintain House control next year, Jetton would become the first speaker from Southeast Missouri in 70 years.

While Jetton is looking to move up in leadership, House Majority Floor Leader Jason Crowell, the chamber's No. 3-ranking member, hopes to move on and replace Kinder in the Senate.

The recent run of Southeast Missourians in prominent positions in state government hasn't been matched since the period spanning the mid-1950s through early 1970s. During that era, the region boasted two Supreme Court judges, a pair of Senate leaders and two governors -- including Warren Hearnes of Charleston, who also served as secretary of state and House majority leader before becoming chief executive.

Although the earlier group was dominated by Democrats, Republicans have been more prominent in recent times. However, Crowell sees his service as a continuation of standards set by the regional notables of the past.

"Southeast Missouri went a long time without statewide leadership," Crowell said. "I consider it an honor that I am able to be majority floor leader just like Warren Hearnes was."

mpowers@semissourian.com

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