JEFFERSON CITY, MO. -- He looked toward the door where dozens of newly-elected House members filed into the room for a majority caucus news conference. As he waited, he looked at the gathering of reporters and said, "Please be patient, this may take awhile."
It was House Speaker-Elect Steven Tilley's not-so-subtle recognition of the fact that Republicans will hold 106 Missouri House seats next year.
That's just three shy of a veto proof majority.
"We've got a huge majority, the biggest majority in the history of our state since 1821, so we're gonna have the ability to push some legislation,” Rep.-elect Jay Barnes, (R) Jefferson City said.
It's the largest Republican majority in state history.
The GOP gained 17 seats in the Missouri House of Representatives and three in the Missouri Senate in Tuesday’s elections. In the House, the GOP defeated 10 Democratic incumbents and won seven open seats currently held by Democrats.
"The voters of Missouri sent a very, very strong message,” Tilley said. “They want a government that's accountable. They want one that lives within its means that holds the line on taxes that encourages economic development so that anyone that wants a job can find one.”
There will be 58 freshmen Republicans in Missouri House next year. That's only one less than the total number of Missouri House Democrats.
"I'm ready to get to get the economy goin', try to create some jobs, get the people back to work,” freshman Rep.-Elect Mike Bernskoetter, (R) Jefferson City said.
Tilley said Republicans are also ready to push to the front some controversial issues, such as the elimination of the state income tax and the redesign of the protocol for appointing judges. Those are reforms that could force the hand of a Democratic governor, but the Republicans are ready for the confrontation.
"The governor better step back and look at the election results and see if he is on the right track,” Tilley said.
The minority House Democrats will caucus Thursday.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKRCG