REP. KASTEN RE-ELECTED TO A LEADERSHIP POST IN HOUSE GOP CAUCUS

JEFFERSON CITY - State Rep. Mary Kasten of Cape Girardeau was elected to a fourth term as secretary of the Missouri House Republican Caucus Tuesday.

Kasten, who won her sixth term in the House without opposition last week, received unanimous approval for a fourth term in her leadership position.

"This has been a very active and busy day," said Kasten as the 63 House Republicans completed an organizational meeting.

The House Minority Leader, Jim Talent of Chesterfield, was elected to the U.S. House last week and is giving up his seat in the Missouri House. Elected to replace him as the GOP leader as Rep. Pat Kelly of Lee's Summit.

Dave Oetting of Concordia was chosen as the assistant floor leader; Beth Long of Lebanon is the new caucus chairman; and the minority whip is Rep. Mark Elliott of Webb City.

Kasten is the only member of the Republican leadership who is back in the same post she held during the last session.

"I think we're really in good hands," remarked Kasten. "We have already had an executive meeting and have begun to outline our task. We recognize there are some heavy responsibilities ahead of us and that we can have some good effect."

With Democrats capturing all five statewide offices on the ballot last week, Kasten believes the role of House Republicans has been increased. The lone statewide GOP officeholder is State Auditor Margaret Kelly, who sponsored a luncheon for the Republican caucus.

Also on hand for the meeting was Sen. Franc Flotron of St. Louis County, who was elected Senate Republican leader last week.

"It's going to be a year of real work, but we're all anxious about doing what we can to address the needs of our districts and the state," summed up Kasten.

"We as a Republican caucus intend to work together as diligently as possible with everyone, because our first concern is for the state of Missouri."

The House GOP contingent includes 16 new members and two who were re-elected after having left the House.

Kasten ranks sixth on the seniority list in her party and only two other Republicans in the House were elected before she was. Kasten first won her seat in 1982.