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34 of the Best Senators in the Past 25 Years – Part 1

For several weeks, The Missouri Times has asked readers and friends who they thought should be featured in the best senate of the past 25 years – a fantasy team, if you will. Over 60 senators were submitted. After visiting with longtime observers of the chamber we came up with our list of 34 of its finest lawmakers in the last 25 years. It’s an eclectic list featuring men and women from the pre- and post term limit eras, and a combination of 34 Senators that no Speaker or Governor would envy having to battle.

Current senators were not eligible for the list. And because we couldn’t begin to put these folks in any numerical order, we will be releasing the list alphabetically over the next five days. The official senate portraits are included.

 

vicallahan
Callahan

 

Victor Callahan

One of the greatest political minds to come through the senate, he was respected on both sides of the aisle. He had the ability to shape any piece of legislation he wanted, including killing some. He successfully changed an urban school district that has been universally praised. Some even say he led the largest functioning caucus in the senate his last two years.

 

 

Caskey
Caskey

 

Harold Caskey

He was a brilliant senator who could change laws subtlety by deft legislative maneuvers. He did sign a previous question on Right to Carry and was one of the few pre-term limit minority party senators to sign one.  After the party switch, he had some trouble with the transition and became a divisive figure in the new dynamic.

 

 

Ehlmann
Ehlmann

 

Steve Ehlmann

He was part of the last class of senators before the party switch. However, he was an old school senator’s senator who was effective even in the minority and known for respecting the traditions of the senate.

 

 

 

Kenney
Kenney

 

Bill Kenney

He took over as floor leader when the Republicans won and ran the senate very effectively and was tremendously effective for leading a party, which hadn’t been in the majority in decades.  You couldn’t intimidate him, but he was always enjoyable to be around and was easy to work with.

 

 

 

RuppScott_web-304
Rupp

Scott Rupp

He was known as a fair-minded senator who was intelligent and could deal with complicated issues such as the 2013 session’s SB 1, which finally addressed the Second Injury Fund. He is also known as hero in the special needs community for his work on the autism insurance bill.

 

 

Scott
Scott

 

John Scott

He was one of the senate’s bill bulls of the pre-term limits era. He was known for having close relationships with governors of both parties. He was also known for being a very successful legislator and as someone who kept the senate collegial.

 

 

Webster
Webster

 

Dick Webster

One of the two people that are thought about when thinking of the best of the senate, it’s impossible to write this column without Mathewson or Webster. Obviously, being in the minority made Webster’s job even harder. There is a reason why his portrait is in the lounge.