I will have to read the paper or watch the news to find out who won the elections just like everyone else. I hope my predictions and prayers for a conservative government come true.

What I do know is the day after the election the legislators will begin organizing the leadership team for the 103rd legislative session. On Wednesday morning your newly elected legislators will waste no time traveling to Jefferson City. The schedule has been set.

Introductions of newly elected representatives will begin in the morning. An orientation for the incoming freshmen includes a mountain of paperwork. Because of term limits and the exiting of seniors, there will be a great scramble for the better office space. Incoming seniors will get the first pick of offices, parking places, and seats on the chamber floor.  Juniors will have the next pick and so on.

And then the next round of elections begins. All of the legislators will vote to elect the next Caucus Chair and Caucus Secretary, then Speaker of the House, Speaker Pro Tem, Majority Floor Leader, Assistant Floor Leader, and WHIP.

There will be formal nominations and speeches, a sealed voting process, and final congratulations or condolences. We have some great talent in the House of Representatives and I have the honor of making the nomination for Majority Floor Leader Alex Riley.

The Floor Leader position has been the recent pathway to the dais and the office of Speaker.

Here’s a quick glimpse of my nomination.

Representative Alex Riley is from Springfield. He graduated from college with a degree in political science at the age of 19. He became the youngest to graduate from law school at the age of 24, summa cum laude. He is currently a partner at the Healy Law Firm in Springfield.

Alex is married with three children, ages 5, 3, and 2. He has a great family.

I have no doubt my nomination of Representative Alex Riley will result in his successful election as the Floor Leader of the 103rd Legislative session. He will be a great team leader now and far into the future. We are all lucky he is willing to make the sacrifice.

If you have any questions or concerns please email me at bruce.sassmann@house.mo.gov or call Jill Ryals at 573-751-6668. We look forward to hearing from you.