This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Dec. 22, 2012 - Gov. Jay Nixon appointed state Rep. Don Ruzicka to the state Board of Probation and Parole, a move that will at least temporarily winnow the Republican majority in the Missouri House.
Nixon's office announced Friday that Ruzicka, R-Mt. Vernon, was appointed to the board responsible for determining whether a person confined at a Missouri Department of Corrections facility can be paroled or conditionally released. The board also supervises individuals that are on probation or parole.
Ruzicka's new position which is subject to confirmation by the Missouri Senate pays $83,095. Several former legislators including former state Reps. Kenny Jones, R-California, Martin Rucker, D-St. Joseph, and Chuck Pryor, R-Morgan County are members of the board.
But Ruzicka's appointment means that Republicans will have one less than the 110 seats than the GOP had touted after the November 6 election.
In the Missouri House, at least 109 members are needed to override a gubernatorial veto. Without Ruzicka, House Republicans will total exactly 109. But that number is predicated on Rep. Kent Hampton, R-Campbell, prevailing in a unresolved contest for a southeast Missouri House seat.
In the state Senate, Republicans will hold 24 out of 34 seats in the Missouri Senate; that's one more than the minimum needed to override Nixon's vetoes
Nixon spokesman Scott Holste said that Ruzicka "has resigned from the House, as of today (Friday)." He also said that Ruzicka will take the seat on the board immediately, although he'll need Senate confirmation in order to remain in his new position.
The governor has leeway on when to schedule a special election, meaning it may take some time for the Lawarence County-based seat to be filled.
While a Republican would be favored replace Ruzicka, it should be noted that Democrat Charles Dake prevailed in a similar district during a 2006 special election. Dake eventually lost to Ruzicka in the 2006 general election.
