03.31.2009 4:12 pm
Blagojevich impeachment prompts House vote to fill statewide vacancies with special election
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Jason Smith
JEFFERSON CITY — The Missouri House of Representatives voted today to fill statewide vacancies with a special election rather than a gubernatorial appointment.
Bill sponsor Rep. Jason Smith, R-Salem, said the bill’s impetus is the impeachment of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
“We should allow the will of the people to always be heard,” he said.
Democrats accused Smith of trying to prevent Democrat Gov. Jay Nixon from appointing a successor for Secretary of State Robin Carnahan, should she win her 2010 Senate bid.
“Should this bill be titled, ‘Everybody thinks (Carnahan opponent) Roy Blunt’s going to lose the election?’” asked Rep. Jeff Roorda, D-Barnhart.
The bill is HB 681. It needs one more vote to move to the Senate.
