JEFFERSON CITY | In what looks to be an otherwise sleepy legislative veto session, House Democrats this morning elected their leader designate.
It's a hometown guy: Rep. Mike Talboy, of Kansas City.
The vote means Talboy will be the Democratic leader in the 2011 legislative session (unless he's not; today's election isn't exactly binding). Whether he'll be minority leader or speaker of the House depends on his party's success in the mid-term elections next year.
Current Minority Leader Paul LeVota, of Independence, will continue in that position for the 2010 session.
Talboy beat Barnhart Rep. Jeff Roorda. The results of the vote were destroyed after being counted and were not released publicly.
Republicans are likewise expected to choose a leader-designate today, although it probably won't be much of a race. Majority Floor Leader Steve Tilley, of Perryville, will likely be unchallenged. The vote is to take place this afternoon.
Both Talboy and Tilley are the chairmen of their party's respective House campaign committees, meaning they have key roles in raising and distributing funds for candidates.
In an interview, Talboy said designating leaders more than a year in advance promoted unity and allowed parties to enter the election year with fewer divisions and distractions.
