On Nov. 8, Missourians voted for a new class of lawmakers to represent them in the 2023 Missouri legislature.
Besides acting as a resource for citizens seeking to interact with state government, the newly elected or reelected lawmakers will potentially decide on issues that will deeply impact the state and its residents, including teacher pay, initiative petition reform and abortion access.
Much of what is decided will be at the will of Republicans lawmakers, who will once again control both the state House of Representatives and the Senate. Both chambers have already held leadership elections to determine who will lead the party caucuses in the upcoming legislative session.
Although Democrats are a minority in the House, Kansas City-area representatives will have some influence in their caucus.
Rep. Richard Brown, who represents south Kansas City and parts of Raytown, was reelected to serve as assistant minority floor leader. Rep. Ingrid Burnett, who represents the northeast area of Kansas City and parts of Sugar Creek, Independence and Jackson County, was reelected as caucus chair. Rep. Jamie Johnson, who represents areas north of the Missouri River around Parkville, will serve as the caucus’ policy chair. Rep. Crystal Quade, from Springfield, was reelected to serve as the Democrats’ floor leader.
In the Republican-led House, Rep. Dean Plocher from Des Peres was elected to the powerful speaker’s post. Rep. Mike Henderson from Desloge was elected as the speaker pro tem, who presides over the body when the House speaker cannot. Rep. Chris Dinkins from Lesterville will serve as the majority caucus chairman.
Leaders haven’t announced committee assignments yet, but lawmakers will be able to begin filing bills for the 2023 session starting Dec. 1.
To look up your specific legislator, enter your address on the Missouri Senate website’s search tool.
The Kansas City area’s delegation in the Senate will look the same as last year. Only two seats in the metro were up for reelection, Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer in the 34th Senate District and Sen. Mike Cierpiot in the 8th Senate District, both Republicans.
Six area freshman House members are heading to Jefferson City to serve their first term in office. Members can serve up to three two-year terms.
New members from the Kansas City area
Incumbents return to Jefferson City
Along with the new representatives, numerous House incumbents from the metro are returning to Jefferson City. Members of the 2023 Missouri legislature don’t have new committee assignments just yet, but they will be able to begin pre-filing bills to be heard by any committee, even committees they don’t serve on, starting Dec. 1.
