Springfield state rep seeks majority floor leader role

State Rep. Alex Riley, R-Springfield, is seeking a leadership role in the Missouri House of Representatives.

Riley, who was first elected as a state representative in 2020 and reelected in 2022, announced in a news release this morning that he would run for majority floor leader in 2024. He’s also up for reelection next year. In addition to his state representative position in Jefferson City, Riley is an attorney at Healy Law Offices LLC in Springfield.  

"Since taking the majority in the House of Representatives 20 years ago, Republicans have accomplished a lot. Unfortunately, in recent years, personality conflicts, rather than policy differences, have started to slow our momentum and inhibit our ability to pass into law the big transformational things that our constituents deserve and that will move our state forward," Riley said in the release. "As majority floor leader, I will work collaboratively with our House members, senators, the executive branch and other stakeholders to develop solutions that serve the best interests of our state and its residents."

An internal House election would be held the day after the November 2024 general election to pick the majority floor leader. Riley says if he's elected, he would be the first majority floor leader from Springfield in nearly 100 years.

According to the release, the majority floor leader is typically seen as the second most powerful leadership position in the House.

Rep. Jonathan Patterson, R-Lee's Summit, currently is majority floor leader, according to House.mo.gov.