Republican House representatives caucus after Tuesday election

Missouri House members caucused behind closed doors for almost four hours Wednesday afternoon and came out with a new leadership team.

The speaker pro tem position has now been vacated by Denny Hoskins, who is off to the Senate. Elijah Haahr has been elected in his place.

Members also elected a new floor leader as well as assistant, caucus chair, majority whip and policy development chair.

House Speaker Todd Richardson said for the first time, the chairwoman of fiscal review will also join the leadership team.

Richardson and representatives presented themselves on a united front and Richardson even dispelled concern that Governor-elect Eric Greitens might not find favor after a contentious season where he campaigned against “corrupt career politicians.”

“I don’t think there’s anybody in this room behind me today that is disappointed that Eric Greitens won this election,” he said. “This group is excited to have a Republican governor for the first time in our legislative careers and I don’t think there’s any smoothing over needed.”

Greitens has also never held public office before but Richardson said he doesn’t think the people of Missouri wanted to elect someone who had the most experience.

“I think what they want are principled people who are going to come in and shake up the way government operates because they’re frustrated with the direction of the state,” he said. “I know Gov. Greitens will have by the time he takes office in January, a strong ambitious agenda and I know this General Assembly is going to be ready to help him in the mission of governing the state.”

Richardson said one of the General Assembly’s main priorities will be ethics reform and the House is hoping to focus on banning lobbyist gifts. He also addressed the possibly of taking up Right to Work again.

“We want an agenda that we think helps move Missouri’s economy in a better direction,” he said.