Gasconade County Republican

Tom Hurst (left, in front) takes his oath of office Jan. 9 for the Missouri House of Representatives’ 62nd District along with fellow State Reps.

Mike Kelley, R-Lamar, and Sonya Murray Anderson, R-Springfield. Hurst, of Meta, poses for a family photograph being made by his sister, Judy Kempker, prior to their turn Monday in the grand walk during the Inaugural Ball. Pictured (from left) are Hurst’s father, Franklin, Hayden, Tom, Emma, Macey and Staci. Hurst is the new state representative for the southern portion of Gasconade County below the northern boundary line of Third Creek and Canaan townships.

 “I’m a little of everything,” said Hurst on the opening day of the 97th General Assembly last week. “I guess excited would be a part of it. Being in here today for the first time on the (House) floor as an elected representative kind of gave me goose-bumps. Now, it’s time to go to work.” Hurst is among 109 Republicans in the House this term. His term continues through 2014. See page 12 for a look at Hurst’s first official day in the Missouri House. This session runs through May 17.