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Senate elects leadership, Munzlinger joins as whip

Munzlinger
Munzlinger

JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Brian Munzlinger (R-Williamstown) was elected to the position of Majority Caucus Whip. He is the only new addition to senate leadership. The elections took place in the Senate lounge yesterday.

“This is a very positive step for northeastern Missouri,” Sen. Munzlinger said. “It has been quite a while since our part of the state had a voice at the table. I am looking forward to finding common ground on the important issues that face our state. An important part of the job is maintaining communications between all Senate offices, and I cannot wait to get started.”

The job of the Majority Caucus Whip is to inform fellow senators of any upcoming legislation of importance, particularly those bills that are soon to be debated on the Missouri Senate floor. The whip works closely with other members of the leadership team in this endeavor.

Pro Tem Dempsey is looking to continue the bipartisan progress the upper chamber made last year.

“We came together as a Senate last session to create solutions to real and complicated issues facing our state,” said Dempsey. “Those bipartisan efforts will continue into next year. We will be focused on promoting policies that will spur economic growth, and we will look at policies that will improve achievement in education whether that’s through funding or the student transfer issue.”

Also elected to Senate Majority Caucus Leadership include:

  • Sen. Ron Richard, R-Joplin, elected as Majority Floor Leader. This will be Richard’s second session in this role. The Majority Floor Leader is responsible for setting the schedule of bills up for consideration by the full body, the time allotted for floor debate on legislation, and session meeting times and dates.
  • Sen. Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, elected as Assistant Majority Floor Leader. The position is responsible for assuming the Majority Floor Leader’s role in his or her absence.
  • Sen. Brian Munzlinger, R-Williamstown, elected as Majority Caucus Whip. Copied after Congress, the whip traditionally makes sure caucus members are present to cast votes.
  • Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Glendale, elected as Majority Caucus Chairman.
  • Sen. Jay Wasson, R-Nixa, elected as Majority Caucus Secretary.

“It is an honor to be chosen by my colleagues for this important leadership position,” Sen. Schmitt said.  “I am looking forward to working with our new leadership and my peers in the Missouri Senate to improve our state and to continue to serve the interests of the 15th Senatorial District.”

“Obviously, I have certain items I would like to see advance through the Missouri Senate, but our job here is larger than that,” Sen. Munzlinger said. “Together, all 34 members of the Senate will do the work we were sent here to do, and this includes working closely with all of my colleagues to do the very best we can for all citizens of the great state of Missouri.”

It is customary for members of the majority and minority parties in the Senate to meet after the General Election to nominate leaders for the new legislative session that begins in January.