Marble Hill rep seeks top House post

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- House Speaker Pro Tem Rod Jetton likely will ascend to the chamber's top leadership post in 2005 if Republicans remain in control following next year's elections.

The sophomore representative from Marble Hill said avoiding a battle within the party for the speakership will allow House Republicans to focus on protecting and building the chamber majority they claimed in the 2002 elections.

"Nothing is ever over until it is over, but I think I have most of the caucus members' support," Jetton said.

The 163-member House elects the speaker, so the majority party determines who gets the job. The vote for next speaker will take place after the November 2004 elections.

The current House split is 90-72 in favor of Republicans with one vacant seat in the Bootheel that was last held by a Democrat.

Jetton, 36, would replace House Speaker Catherine Hanaway of Warson Woods, who in January became the first Republican since 1954 to hold the post. He would become the first House speaker from Southeast Missouri since Willis H. Meredith, a Poplar Bluff Democrat who held the post from 1933 through 1934.

Hanaway is forgoing another House term to run for secretary of state. She said a formal declaration of her candidacy could come as early as Wednesday.

Hanaway said she is "very enthusiastic" about her top lieutenant succeeding her as speaker if Republicans stay in charge and praised him for his boundless energy and "real vision for ways to improve the state."

"Rod also has an amazing ability to motivate people to get things done through a nice, charismatic and warm personality but also through hard work," Hanaway said.

Jetton, a real estate agent and former Marine Corps officer, served on the Bollinger County Commission before being elected to the House in 2000. He became speaker pro tem, the No. 2 House post, this year.

As speaker, Jetton said he would continue pushing the pro-business, small government agenda House Republicans championed this year.

"I don't think you can expect to see things turn around in one or two years after 40 years in the wilderness," Jetton said. "My goal is to continue that process."

Democratic whip has plans

State Rep. Rick Johnson of High Ridge, the Democratic whip, has announced his bid for the speakership should his party regain the majority. In the short term, Johnson, 34, is seeking the job of House minority floor leader. The current Democratic leader, state Rep. Mark Abel of Festus, is resigning the position next month to focus on his campaign for state treasurer.

Including Jetton, Southeast Missouri lawmakers currently hold three of the top leadership posts in the legislature.

Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder of Cape Girardeau has served as the upper chamber's ranking member since the GOP won control in 2001. House Majority Floor Leader Jason Crowell of Cape Girardeau was named to the lower chamber's No. 3 spot this year.

Both Kinder and Crowell are seeking higher office. Kinder is running for lieutenant governor while Crowell is seeking Kinder's Senate seat.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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