The ill health of a county commissioner from Southwest Missouri has led to another vacancy in the Legislature. Presiding Commissioner George Cutbirth, from Stone County resigned his position in July. As I mentioned last week, Governor Jay Nixon has sole authority to appoint a successor. In the case of a vacancy at the county level, the County Central Committees of each political party usually select a candidate and submit the name to the governor. Almost always, the governor will appoint the candidate from his own party. I commend Governor Nixon with his appointment, Republican State Representative Dennis Wood, to fill the remainder of the term.
Wood, from Kimberling City, was term limited and would have been precluded from running for the House again. His current term will expire December 2010. He resigned his House seat on Thursday and was sworn in as a commissioner on the same day. Governor Nixon has called a Special Election for February 3, 2010 to fill the vacancy. This will ensure the people of the district will have representation for most of the next legislative session.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Purgason: Nixon's choice of Wood for Stone Couny seat was a good one
Sen. Chuck Purgason, R-Caulfield, told constituents he is pleased with Gov. Jay Nixon's choice of Rep. Dennis Wood, a Republican, to fill a vacant Stone County Commission post:
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What Chuck didn't say was that almost always the governor follows the recommendation of the county committee.
It is my understanding that the appointee was on neither county committees' list of recommendations.
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