The Sip: Wildwood’s State Representative Justin Sparks attempted a run for the Speaker of the House position to lead the Republican Party in that body. He was soundly rejected 152-10 (of which he was one of the 10). This rejection is especially embarrassing as 100 of the 152 votes were from fellow Republicans.
The Cup: Rep. Justin Sparks (R) of District 110 is representing Wildwood in his second term coming off a win (63% to 37%) this past November against Democrat Josh Thackston. He was nominated for Speaker and ran against fellow Republican Jon Patterson of Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Sparks has been especially critical of Patterson in the past few months over statements Patterson made about the then pending Amendment 3. This amendment to the Missouri constitution resurrects access to abortion in Missouri. Patterson voiced that if Amendment 3 passed, it would be the law of the land and the people will have chosen.
Sparks, has countered that the number one focus of Republican lawmakers should be to thwart Amendment 3 at every opportunity and attempt to get it repealed, apparently regardless of the vote of the citizens. Amendment 3 won by roughly 2% statewide in November, and it won by over 8% in Sparks own district in Wildwood, Missouri. It isn’t clear why District 110 soundly voted in Amendment 3 and simultaneously it’s most ardent opponent, Justin Sparks. Wake Up Wildwood?
Patterson took direct aim at Sparks after the challenge for the Speaker position, “This was not about Amendment 3 or any policy agenda, this was a person with an oceanic ego who took it upon himself to make this day about himself.”
Photo Credit: Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications
