A vote is expected Thursday to elect a new Speaker for the U.S. House of Representatives. John Boehner (R-Ohio) announced last month that he’s resigning at the end of October. Kevin McCarthy of California, Dan Webster of Florida and Jason Chaffetz of Utah are running for the post.

Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO) Photo courtesy of US House of Representatives

Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO) Photo courtesy of US House of Representatives

East Central Missouri Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer thinks McCarthy is the right person for the job.

“There are just a lot of things to make up the job and somebody has to have a lot of skills to do that job well. I think that Kevin has, over the seven years that I’ve been in Congress, shown me that he’s the one that’s most capable of doing all the things you need to be able to do to be a Speaker,” said Luetkemeyer. “It’s not easy to bring people together and I think he can do the best job of the candidates that have put themselves forward at this time. Having been the Majority Whip as well as presently the Floor Leader, he understands the relationships that you have to get things done. He understands the dynamics of what goes on in order to pass a bill.”

West-Central Missouri Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler said she’s talking with the candidates, and has not announced who she’ll vote.

“I’m taking a very serious look at each one of them and visiting with them about their vision and how they plan to change things so that we can get things done for the American people,” said Hartzler.

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) Photo courtesy of U.S. House of Representatives

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) Photo courtesy of U.S. House of Representatives

Hartzler said, whoever it is, there needs to be a vision that brings everyone together.

“I think in the past, some people have felt like that their voice hasn’t mattered. Each one of us represents about 750,000 people in this country. We all need to have input into what the solutions are,” said Hartzler.

If McCarthy is chosen, Luetkemeyer says Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) and Deputy Majority Whip Patrick McHenry (R-North Carolina) are expected to run for higher positions. Luetkemeyer says none of Missouri’s Representatives are planning to run for House leadership spots.

Boehner served for nearly five years as the Speaker of the House.

Brad Tregnago of KSSZ contributed to this story.