By AP/KWMU
Kansas City, MO. – A state senator from Kansas City died this weekend. Democrat Ronnie DePasco was diagnosed with lung cancer more than a year ago; he missed most of this spring's legislative session.
Governor Holden will have to call a special election to fill the now vacant seat.
Funeral services are pending for
DePasco; he was a Democrat first elected to the Missouri House in 1976. He won his Senate seat in 1992, and six years later he became the majority floor leader. DePasco held that leadership post until Democrats lost control of the Senate in 2001.
He was known for his outgoing personality and as a staunch advocate of issues important to Kansas City.
His death leaves the party breakdown in the Senate at 20 Republicans and 13 Democrats.