Springfield state rep elected majority floor leader

State Rep. Alex Riley, R-Springfield, has been elected by his Republican colleagues for the Missouri House of Representatives' No. 2 leadership role.

Riley, who ran unopposed for his District 134 seat in the Nov. 5 election, was selected yesterday to serve as majority floor leader for the 103rd General Assembly, according to a news release. With his appointment becoming effective on Jan. 8 when the General Assembly convenes, Riley says he's the first majority floor leader from Springfield in nearly 100 years.

"I’m deeply honored by the trust my colleagues have placed in me by choosing me for this critical role. We have achieved many significant accomplishments over the past few years, but there’s much more to be done,” Riley said in the release. "At a time when the nation faces rising costs and deep political divides, my goal is to lead our chamber forward, serving Missourians with the dedication they deserve and preparing our state for any challenges that might lie ahead."

Considered the second most powerful role in the House after the speaker, the majority floor leader sets the legislative calendar and decides which bills will reach the floor for debate and voting, according to the release.

Riley, who was first elected as a state representative in 2020, announced his plans to run for majority floor leader in December 2023, according to past reporting. In addition to his state representative position in Jefferson City, Riley is an attorney at Healy Law Offices LLC in Springfield.