In the final votes that took place behind taped windows and guarded doors, Leake was head-to-head with House Budget Chairman Sheila Lumpe, D-St. Louis County, an abortion-rights supporter.
Rep. Sheila Lumpe, D-University City, who narrowly lost the speaker's race to Rep. Sam Leake, D-Laddonia, said she has decided not to run. Instead, she said she will support Backer.
In October, Representative Sheila Lumpe was defeated by one vote for the Democratic nomination for House Speaker. Since Bob Ward's resignation as House Majority Floor Leader, Callaway County Representative Gracia Backer announced she is vying for the office. Representative Wayne Crump, the Assistant Floor Leader, is also seeking the office. Crump says this time, gender is the main issue...
"There were very few bills vetoed, and that makes a difference," said Rep. Sheila Lumpe, D-St. Louis County. She said when there are more vetoes, legislators tend to bring legislation up for reconsideration.
But the Budget Committee's chairman also said she doesn't see where the money would come from. Rep. Sheila Lumpe, D-St. Louis County, said legislators charged higher education officials with finding the money for their proposal.
For the second time in the last few months, women are trying to gain power in the Missouri legislature. After Rep. Sheila Lumpe, D-St. Louis County, lost the House Speaker race by one vote in October, Rep. Gracia Backer, D-Fulton, has announced she is seeking the House Majority Floor Leader post.
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