RICHARDSON RESIGNS HOUSE GOP POSITION

State Rep. Mark Richardson resigned as House Republican leader Tuesday, saying it was "bad judgment" on his part to drink and drive.

The Poplar Bluff Republican announced his decision to step down as House minority floor leader at a closed-door meeting of House Republicans Tuesday morning.

The 45-year-old Richardson will remain a House member, representing Southeast Missouri's 154th District.

GOP members will elect a new leader Monday as the legislative session enters its final two weeks.

Richardson's decision followed his weekend arrest for driving drunk. His 4-year-old daughter, Megan, was in the car when he was stopped by a state trooper late Friday on the outskirts of Jefferson City.

"It is bad judgment to consume any amount of alcohol and to drive. When you do that and your child is in the car with you, it is even worse," he said in a telephone interview with the Southeast Missourian Tuesday afternoon from his State Capitol office.

He said his first priority is to be a good father.

Republican lawmakers from Southeast Missouri praised Richardson's action even though they had hoped he would remain in the leadership post.

"Mark felt that the most honorable thing to do was to step down," said Rep. Patrick Naeger, R-Perryville.

Rep. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau, said: "I certainly think he took the high road today, which is typical.

"He thought more of his family and the caucus than he did for himself," she said.

Rep. David Schwab, R-Jackson said: "This incident shows that Republican legislators and their leaders take responsibility for their actions and stand by their principles."

Said Schwab, "This was not an easy decision and we will miss his extraordinary leadership."

Richardson met for about 90 minutes Monday night with the House's 75 GOP members.

He said most of the House Republicans urged him to remain in the leadership post.

Richardson said he left the special caucus Monday night without having decided if he would step down.

"I think I probably knew deep in my heart what I should do," he said.

Early Tuesday morning, Richardson decided he would resign immediately.

"First and foremost, you've got to take care of yourself and your family," he said.

He also said he resigned because he didn't want his personal problem to be a distraction for House members in the final weeks of the session.

"I think it worked out for the best," he said.

Less than three hours after resigning, Richardson pleaded guilty in Cole County Circuit Court to misdemeanor charges of driving while intoxicated and endangering a child.

A judge placed him on two years' supervised probation and ordered him to perform 200 hours of community service and to attend the Substance Abuse Traffic Offenders Program.

Richardson said the program includes an evaluation of whether any type of treatment or counseling is needed.

"I really don't think that I have a problem with alcohol," he said. "I think I have a problem in trying to do too much in too short a time."

Richardson said state lawmakers have stressful jobs and work long hours.

In addition, he said he has a full-time law practice in Poplar Bluff and devotes many hours to community projects.

"When you try too hard to do too many things, you make mistakes," he said.

Richardson said lawmakers frequently attend capital receptions where alcohol is served.

"Occasionally at receptions, I might have a drink. At most receptions, I either drink Diet Coke or coffee."

Richardson said his latest drunk-driving arrest and the one in 1995 in Arkansas were "different situations."

He was acquitted of drunken driving and child endangerment charges in that case after convincing a judge that cold medicine led to a false breath test. His daughter was in the car that time too.

Richardson said he received a lot of support from people in the past few days. "That is a very uplifting thing for me."