JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Majority Floor Leader Todd Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, was nominated, elected by acclamation, and sworn in as Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives today after the resignation of Speaker John Diehl, R-Town and Country.
Speaker Diehl spoke to the body, apologizing for his actions.
Mark Lee Richardson, a former minority floor leader, is Richardson’s father. Both of his parents were present and were able to sit on the dais with their newly-positioned son (PHOTO).
Richardson made a brief speech, saying it was “time to get to work.” The House quickly proceeded to pass a handful of bills before recessing for lunch. After the recess, the House immediately went back to remaining legislations that could be sent to the governor’s desk.
SLIDESHOW:
TIM BOMMEL/PHOTOS
Rachael Herndon was the editor at The Missouri Times and also produced This Week in Missouri Politics, published Missouri Times Magazine, and co-hosted the #MoLeg podcast. She joined The Missouri Times in 2014, returning to political reporting after working as a campaign and legislative staffer.
Rachael studied at the University of Missouri – Columbia. She lives in Jefferson City with her husband, Brandon, and their two children.