A special legislative session to hasten winter utility bill assistance remains on the table.

Missouri Senate Republicans have chosen a new leader from St. Joseph who likely will resist the governor-elect’s biggest campaign promise.
The GOP caucus tapped Sen. Charlie Shields to replace Sen. Mike Gibbons, of Kirkwood, as the new Senate president pro tem — a position referred to as the second most powerful in state politics.
“It’s very significant for St. Joseph to have him in that position. He is uniquely aware of issues that affect us up here,” said Mike Chester, president of the Northwest Missouri Republican Club. “It’s a bright spot after a rough election.”

As of 3:45 p.m., Missouri Senate Republicans have selected a St. Joseph man to serve as the next president pro tem. The Senate majority floor leader since 2005, Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, will replace Mike Gibbons, of Kirkwood.

A St. Joseph Democrat lost his bid for a key party position in the Missouri House of Representatives the same afternoon Republicans were expected to pick a St. Joseph politician to lead the Senate.

The state treasurer’s office slipped from the grasp of a Savannah, Mo., politician early Wednesday despite holding the lead during most of Tuesday’s election.

The spray paint dried on the competition between a doctor and a newspaper man in a local race for the statehouse Tuesday night, allowing the incumbent to hold onto his seat.
Rep. Dr. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph, will continue to represent the 28th House District for Andrew and Buchanan counties, as he reaped 10,245 votes over Democrat Mark Sheehan’s 8,202 votes, according to unofficial election results.
Dr. Schaaf asked community leaders to “acknowledge the mandate voters gave today and to help me open the door to increased competition in health care” in a handout he provided to media at the Buchanan County Republican headquarters after learning of the victory.

The possibility of a Northwest Missourian taking the state treasurer’s office stood within reach, but both campaigns were hesitant to call the election late Tuesday night as his opponent saw a late boost in votes.
About 55,767 votes separated a Savannah, Mo., Republican and a Florissant, Mo., Democrat at 11:30 p.m.

Envision a world in which St. Joseph politicians run both chambers of the Missouri Legislature.

The outcomes of statewide office and House of Representatives elections Tuesday could shake up Northwest Missouri’s representation in another legislative body.
Neither of the region’s two Senate seats are up for election this year, but that could change if a Savannah senator captures a higher office. Also, an incumbent representative who’s been raising funds for a Senate election two years off said he’d yank his plans if his statehouse bid fails.

Heartland Health officials say the ad campaign of a Republican incumbent in a local statehouse race is aiming too high.