Three vying so far for House speaker post

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A new speaker of the House of Representatives will be standing on the dais when lawmakers return to work in January. Who it will be remains to be determined.

If Republicans win a majority in the chamber on Nov. 5, current House Minority Floor Leader Catherine Hanaway of Warson Woods will claim the top job, becoming the first woman to do so.

Two Democrats are known to be vying for the post should their party continue its 48-year run in charge. They are Speaker Pro Tem Mark Abel of Festus and state Rep. Russ Carnahan of St. Louis.

There is some talk in the Capitol that state Rep. Denny Merideth of Caruthersville is also interested. Merideth openly campaigned for the post two years ago but failed to win his party's nomination. He has not established a campaign committee for speaker, but wouldn't necessarily have to.

The three announced hopefuls for the speakership have all been active contributors to the campaigns of their respective party's House candidates, including those in Southeast Missouri. Hanaway has given the $300 maximum to every area Republican involved in a contested race. Abel and Carnahan, between the two of them, have done the same for Southeast Missouri Democrats.

Because she is the only Republican planning to run for speaker, Hanaway's donations are geared toward winning the GOP majority she needs. For Abel and Carnahan, the contributions serve the dual purpose of electing Democrats and building support to further their leadership ambitions.

Both Abel and Hanaway are facing major party challengers in their own re-election bids this year, while Carnahan is opposed only by a Libertarian candidate. None is considered in danger of losing his or her seat.

Served before term limits

With term limits for the first time kicking out large numbers of long-time lawmakers this year, Abel will be among the last true veterans left in the House.

Abel, 52, first left the House in 1991 after six years -- time that doesn't count against the eight-years-per-chamber service cap voters imposed on terms won after 1992. He returned in 1999 giving him a total of 10 years of House experience in a chamber where most of his colleagues next year will have served six years or less.

With a minimum 87 freshmen in the 163-member chamber next year, Abel said it will be important to have a veteran who understands the process in charge during the transition.

"One thing that is important is institutional memory and knowledge," Abel said. "I've served under three governors and three different speakers. I've seen what works and what doesn't. I think that experience is pretty important right now."

Abel, an insurance broker, has served as speaker pro tem since 2001. The man he hopes to succeed, House Speaker Jim Kreider, D-Nixa, also held the chamber's No. 2 post before ascending to the speakership. Kreider is term-limited in the House but is running for the state Senate.

Fits profile of speakers

Carnahan, 44, is seeking his second House term. He is the son of U.S. Sen. Jean Carnahan and former Gov. Mel Carnahan.

In the age of term limits, Carnahan fits the expected profile of future speakers who may win the post after just a couple years of in the legislature.

Despite only two years as a representative, Carnahan, who could not be reached for comment, has ample behind-the-scenes House experience. He was an assistant to House Speaker Bob Griffin in 1981 and counsel to Majority Floor Leader Anthony Ribaudo from 1985 to 1988.

Chuck Miller of Oriole, a Democratic candidate in the 157th District, has received financial support from Carnahan. However, Miller said he will keep an open mind on who he will back for speaker should he win the seat.

"I'm not committed to anybody right now," Miller said. "If I don't win this election, it doesn't matter who I support."

Held firm on budget

During the last legislative session, Hanaway, 38, held the House GOP Caucus firm against Gov. Bob Holden's proposal to tap state savings to help balance the budget, a move applauded by some fiscal conservatives but blasted by the governor.

Hanaway, a lawyer and former aide to U.S. Sen. Kit Bond, first took office in 1999 and was chosen as minority leader in 2001. She said she wants to be speaker to change the direction the House has been going under Democratic control.

"It is the speaker who has the greatest amount of ability to influence legislation in the House," Hanaway said. "I want to get things done."

mpowers@semissourian.com

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