Missouri House Democrats elect 2023-2024 leadership team

Quade re-elected for third term as leader

From left and back: Rep. Emily Weber, Rep.-Elect Jamie Johnson, Reps. Ingrid Burnett, Gretchen Bangert, Richard Brown, Crystal Quade, Ashley Aune (MHDC)

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri House Democratic Caucus elected leadership positions for the 102nd General Assembly Thursday.

Rep. Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, won re-election as minority floor leader by acclimation and will serve her third term as leader of the House Democrats during her final term as a state representative.

“My colleagues continue to put their faith in my direction for the caucus, and I cannot understate how much I respect and appreciate their trust as we approach two more years in the House,” she said. “I look forward to ending my time in the House as a leader that represents citizens across the state that share Democratic values.”

Rep. Richard Brown, D-Kansas City, was also re-elected to his second term as assistant minority floor leader. Like Quade, he will also enter his final term in the House before term limits prevent him from running as a representative in 2024.

“In my role, I primarily see myself who can enable, assist and encourage our diverse team of legislators,” Brown said. “With 12 freshmen caucus members and a larger caucus overall, that’s a tall task I’m happy to tackle.”

Joining them in leadership as minority whip will be Rep. Ashley Aune, a second-term legislator from Platte County and one of two new members of leadership from the class of 2020.

“I’m so thankful to my colleagues and friends for electing me to serve in leadership for our caucus, especially in such an important role that ensures sure we support strong policy solutions for the state of Missouri,” Aune said.

Other leadership positions chosen by the caucus included: Rep. Ingrid Burnett, D-Kansas City, was re-elected as caucus chair; sophomore Rep. Emily Weber, D-Kansas City, will serve as caucus vice-chair; Gretchen Bangert, D-Florissant, will serve her second term as caucus secretary; and Rep.-elect Jamie Johnson, D-Kansas City, will serve as the caucus’ policy chair.

Aune is the first Hispanic woman and Weber is the first Asian-American woman to hold positions in Democratic Caucus leadership. Johnson will serve in leadership during her first term as a member of the House.

Following the gains made in Tuesday’s elections, the Missouri House Democratic Caucus comprises of 52 members from across the Show-Me State, its highest member count since 2014 legislative session.