Republicans Accuse Democrats Of Playing Politics Over Redistricting

The Missouri Republican Party is accusing Governor Bob Holden and the state Democratic Party of playing political games over the legality of a sitting member of the Legislature being a member of a state commission. Representative Mark Richardson of Poplar Bluff, a Republican, has been selected by the Governor to sit on a commission considering legislative redistricting. He was chosen after withdrawing his name from consideration when it was learned there might be a legal roadblock to his being a commission member. The state G-O-P says Governor Holden chose Richardson in a bid to force the Representative to choose between his House seat and his seat on the commission. Richardson has already said he plans to remain in the House. That creates a “vacancy” on the commission and the Governor willhave to appoint a replacement – likely a Democrat.