Senate Democrats choose new leaders

Intro:	Even though they gained two seats in the Missouri Senate, Democrats still find themselves as the minority.
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Wrap: The Senate Democrats selected Jolie Justus as their Democratic Floor Leader.

Justus says there are a few things keeping Democrats from having a majority in either chamber.

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Description: "Three of the things we need to look at are campaign contributions, term limits and redistricting."

Justus is also the first openly gay Senator selected to a leadership position in Missouri's history.

When asked about gay marriage, she says she will not fight for something that is not the will of Missourians.

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Description: "I think if we're going to work on anything we need to make sure people have basic human rights protections."

Justus says the recent U.S. election proves the American people do not care about sexual orientation.

Reporting from the Capitol, I'm Christine Roto.

Intro:	A new leader in the Missouri Senate marks history for the LGBTQ community.
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Wrap: Jolie Justus has replaced Victor Callahan as the Democratic Floor Leader.

This is the first time an openly gay legislator will hold a leadership position in the Senate.

Justus says this does not have much of a significant impact on how she will act in the Senate.

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Description: "I think that they've seen that I'm just a regular person like everybody else. I care about my family, I care about Missourians, I care about getting things done in the Senate."

There are currently more members from the LGBTQ community in office throughout the country than ever before.

Justus says it shows the American people do not care about sexual orientation.

Reporting from the Capitol, I'm Christine Roto.

Intro:	A new leader in the Missouri Senate marks history for the LGBTQ community.
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OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Jolie Justus is the new Floor Minority Leader as well as the first openly gay leader in the Missouri Senate.

Similar history was made Tuesday when Democrat Tammy Baldwin became the first openly gay legislature elected to the U.S Senate.

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Description: "I think that what we're seeing now, is that the majority of Americans don't care what the sexual orientation is. And because of that, those of us that are willing to lead are not going to have that held against us."

Justus says she will not fight for gay marriage because it is not the will of the Missouri people.

However, she says she will focus on protecting basic human rights.

Reporting from the Capitol, I'm Christine Roto.