Bootheel's last remaining House Democrat resigns

State Rep. Denny Merideth of Caruthersville resigned his legislative seat Tuesday to take a job with the U.S. State Department's foreign service office.

Merideth joined the Missouri Legislature in 1997 after running as an independent in a special election to fill a vacancy. He was the first independent in more than a century to be elected to the Missouri statehouse. He became a Democrat in 2000 and made an unsuccessful bid for the party's nomination as House speaker.

Merideth, 52, said he is looking forward to the new challenge.

"Although there are many reasons to take this step, it is essentially to make full use of our skills, interests, commitment to our nation, opportunities for the family and to be a member of a highly dedicated team of professionals," Merideth said.

A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Merideth spent 22 years in the military as a fighter pilot before retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He will report to Washington, D.C., on June 30.

His departure comes as Missouri lawmakers are meeting in special legislative session on the state budget. A member of the House Budget Committee, Merideth criticized majority Republicans last week for their handling of the situation and voted against the four appropriations bills under consideration.

Though the Bootheel was solidly Democratic when Merideth first took office, by this year he was the party's last remaining state lawmaker in the region as Republicans steadily gained ground. His legislative district includes Pemiscot County and parts of New Madrid and Dunklin counties.

State Sen. Bill Foster, R-Poplar Bluff, said Merideth worked well across party lines.

"He has always done his part with energy and without with hesitation," Foster said. "I am going to miss him. He will be truly missed in the Capitol."

Merideth's replacement will be chosen in a special election to be held no sooner than 10 weeks after Gov. Bob Holden calls for one.

Candidates for that contest will be selected by political party committees in the legislative district. The winner will serve the remainder of Merideth's term, which ends in January 2005.

Assuming the special election is held before January 2004, the successor would be eligible to serve three full two-year terms in addition to Merideth's partial term.

Under a constitutional change to term limits Missouri voters approved last year, Merideth's replacement could serve four complete terms if the special election is held in January or later.

The Daily Dunklin Democrat in Kennett contributed to this report.