Lawmakers raising money in contest for House, Senate leadership

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- While 10 lawmakers are in the running to become the next leader of the Missouri Senate, only two are seeking the job of speaker of the House of Representatives.

Both chambers will elect new leaders when the next regular session of the legislature begins in January.

Should Republicans retain control of the lower chamber following the Nov. 2 elections, the way appears clear for House Speaker Pro Tem Rod Jetton, R-Marble Hill, to move up to the body's top leadership post. The GOP currently holds a 90-73 House majority. Current House Speaker Catherine Hanaway, R-Warson Woods, is running for secretary of state.

State Rep. Bob Johnson, R-Lee's Summit, had formed a campaign committee for the speaker's office but recently dissolved it. Johnson said he was actually interested in replacing Jetton in the No. 2 spot and created a speaker's committee for procedural reasons. Johnson, a former state senator and maverick in the GOP caucus who is often at odds with party leaders, decided he would rather remain chairman of the House Local Government Committee than become speaker pro tem.

Jetton is running for his third term as representative but is being challenged by Democrat John Howser, a retired teacher from Fredericktown, for the 156th District seat. The district represents Bollinger and Madison counties plus most of Wayne County.

If Democrats can make a minimum net gain of nine seats to reclaim majority status in the House, Minority Floor Leader Rick Johnson of High Ridge would likely be the next speaker.

Through June 30, Jetton had raised more than $294,000 in his bid for speaker while Johnson had collected almost $72,000. Leadership committees, which are separate from candidates' legislative re-election committees, allow lawmakers to raise extra money that they can in turn funnel to other candidates for office.

Eight GOP senators have established committees for the chance to replace Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder, a Cape Girardeau Republican running for lieutenant governor.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Michael Gibbons of Kirkwood had amassed nearly $144,000 in his campaign to become chamber leader. He was followed by state Sen. Charlie Shields of St. Joseph, who had raised almost $59,000; state Sen. John Louden of Ballwin, who had collected about $31,000; and state Sen. Chuck Gross, who had received around $23,000.

State Sens. Jon Dolan of Lake St. Louis, Matt Bartle of Lee's Summit, John Cauthorn of Mexico and Delbert Scott of Lowry City also formed pro tem committees but had each raised less than $10,000.

Republicans currently hold a 20-14 Senate majority and are expected to retain control following the fall elections.

Should Democrats defy the odds and take control, however, state Sens. Pat Dougherty and Joan Bray, both of St. Louis, will challenge for the pro tem position. Dougherty had raised about $20,000 compared to Bray's $3,500.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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