House Democrats have selected Reps. Tommie Pierson Jr. and Keri Ingle to fill the vacancies within caucus leadership.
Pierson, a sophomore lawmaker representing parts of north St. Louis city and county, will serve as assistant minority floor leader — making him the No. 2 Democrat in the Missouri House. He is a math teacher in North St. Louis and pastor of inStep Church.
Ingle, a freshman representing parts of Kansas City, Lee’s Summit, and Raytown, will serve as minority whip. She is a is a practicing licensed master social worker in Missouri and Kansas.
“The legislature will debate critical issues in the 2020 session that will impact Missouri for generations to come,” Pierson said in a statement. “It is vital for House Democrats to maximize our voice in shaping that debate, and I am committed to ensuring our caucus is effective in advancing our agenda.”
“It’s an honor to be chosen by my colleagues to serve as minority whip,” Ingle said in a statement. “In this role, I hope to further our goals and build relationships with members of both parties to work on issues that matter to all Missourians.”
Both lawmakers were chosen for the caucus leadership posts by acclimation and without opposition. The selection was held at the House Democrats’ annual summer meetings.
The leadership vacancies were created when Rep. DaRon McGee, the former assistant floor minority leader, resigned following an ethics investigation, and Rep. Brandon Ellington, the previous minority whip, left the legislature after winning a seat on the Kansas City Council.
Pierson has served as House Democratic Caucus chairman since November — a position which is now vacant. House Democrats will elect someone to fill that leadership role during the annual veto session on Sept. 11.
Alisha Shurr was a reporter for The Missouri Times and The Missouri Times Magazine. She joined The Missouri Times in January 2018 after working as a copy editor for her hometown newspaper in Southern Oregon. Alisha is a graduate of Kansas State University.
