This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Sept. 11, 2013 - State Rep. John Diehl has been chosen by fellow Republicans to be the next speaker of the Missouri House — making him the second St. Louisan in a row to hold that post.
Diehl, R-Town and Country, was elected late Wednesday during a private caucus of the House’s 109 Republicans. He defeated state Rep. Caleb Jones, R-Columbia — cousin of the current speaker, Rep. Tim Jones, R-Eureka.
Assuming that he wins re-election and that Republicans retain control of the Missouri House, Diehl would take office in January 2015.
Diehl, a lawyer, is close to many business interests. Within minutes of his selection, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce issued a statement on Twitter, saying Diehl “has worked hard for employers from day one. He is a Mo Chamber legislative award winner and a true friend of business.”
Diehl, 48, also has promoted himself as a friend of fellow House Republicans. He had promised, if elected, to help raise money for the House GOP caucus in order to help his colleagues in the 2014 election.
