There’s a new leader of Democrats in the Missouri House. Representative Rick Johnson of High Ridge served this past session as Minority Whip. House Democrats have now elected him Minority Leader, replacing Representative Mark Abel of Festus who resigned to run for StateTreasurer. Johnson is known for his high-profile clashes with the new Republican leadership, but he says that won’t be the hallmark of his leadership. Instead, Johnson says he wants to lead Democrats desperate to assist in finding solutions to the state’s problems. House Democrats havekept Representative Bill Ransdall of Waynesville as Assistant Minority Floor Leader. They elected Freshman Jeff Harris of Columbia to replace Johnson as Minority Whip.