House gives preliminary nod of approval to bill requiring special elections to fill state-wide vacancies

Intro:	Speculations are mounting that Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder will be the Republican's choice to fill the seat left void by U.S. Congresswoman's Jo Ann Emerson's departure. The Missouri House gave preliminary approval to a bill requiring special elections to fill state-wide vacancies Tuesday.
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Wrap: If Kinder leaves, it's up for debate how the Lt. Gov.'s office will be filled. Democrats like St. Louis Rep. Stacey Newman say the Governor has authority to appoint someone.

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Description: "The system allowing the governor to appoint has been in effect since 1875."

But Republican Rep. Jason Smith is pushing a bill that would require a special election and has filed similar legislation for several years.

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Description: "It wasn't just something that we woke up and decided because there happens to be a future election."

The House will have a final vote on the bill Wednesday.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Matt Evans. Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro:	Following speculations that Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder will be the Republican choice to succeed U.S. Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson, the Missouri house gave preliminary approval to a bill requiring elections to fill any state-wide vacancies. ((ANCHOR TAG: The House will have a final vote on the bill Wednesday))
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Wrap:

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Description: "We know it's a very timely issue and..." "I'm just an aggressive legislator lady and I like to get things passed."

That's an exchange on the House floor between St. Louis Democrat Stacey Newman and Salem Republican Jason Smith. Newman says the Governor has the authority to appoint people to fill state-wide vacancies and Smith's bill requiring elections is a political statement for the Republican party. Smith says he's wanted to pass the legislation for years.

Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder is one of about a dozen candidates vying for the Southeast Missouri Congress seat left vacant by Emerson.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Matt Evans. Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro:	Speculations continue to rise that Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder is the next in line to succeed U.S. Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson. And just hours before her resignation went into effect, the Missouri House gave preliminary approval to a bill clearing up how to fill vacant state-wide offices. ((ANCHOR TAG: The House will have a final vote on the bill Wednesday))
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Wrap: Governor Jay Nixon says he has the authority to fill vacant state-wide offices, but Republican Rep. Jason Smith is sponsoring a bill that would require an election to fill the office. Democratic Rep. Stacey Newman says it's a bill benefiting the Republican party.

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Description: "I think this is clearly a political statement."

But Smith says that's misleading because he's filed similar legislation for years.

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Description: "For you to try to mislead this body to say we just decided to do it, I think that you need to realize this is the fifth year this has happened."

Republicans and Democrats are expected to pick their candidates sometime next month for the June 4th election to decide the Southeastern Missouri Congressional seat.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Matt Evans. Newsradio 1120 KMOX.