Sen. O’Laughlin Becomes First Woman to Lead Missouri Senate
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By Echo Menges
Northeast Missouri Senator Cindy O’Laughlin (R-18th District) has officially assumed her position as president pro tempore or pro tem of the Missouri Senate.
The rural Shelbina resident, who represents one of the Senate’s largest geographical districts, made state history as the first woman to hold the highest leadership position in the Missouri Senate. She is arguably the most powerful person in the Senate and the most influential woman in Jefferson City this session—Missouri’s 103rd General Assembly.
O’Laughlin, a retired business owner, wife, mother of four sons, and grandmother of seven, began her Senate tenure in 2019, representing constituents in Adair, Audrain, Clark, Knox, Lewis, Macon, Marion, Monroe, Putnam, Ralls, Randolph, Schuyler, Scotland, and Shelby counties both representing and embodying some of the most conservative values in the state.
A Buzz of Activity
Ahead of the ceremonial noontime opening of the session on Monday, Jan. 8, O’Laughlin’s new office was buzzing with excitement. The senator and her staff mingled around a buffet of fried chicken and sides while juggling a mock run-through of the opening ceremony and welcoming a steady stream of colleagues stopping by to congratulate her.
Well-wishers filtered through the pro tem office, past a newly hung, oversized nameplate declaring O’Laughlin’s new title. Visitors admired the “brightened up” space, which featured light-colored carpeting and cozy, living room-style furniture—noticeably missing a formal executive desk.
Outside her office, the Capitol’s hallways hummed with the energy of the first day of session, resembling a bustling high school after summer break. Senators moved toward the chamber floor, families and friends filled the public areas, and members of the press jockeyed for the best camera angles ahead of the annual opening.
“I changed my clothes five times today,” O’Laughlin said candidly just before the ceremony. “I sure hope the teleprompter doesn’t break down during my speech. It’s about bringing back family values.”
The Ceremony
Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, who will step into the governor’s office on Monday, Jan. 13, presided over the Senate’s opening ceremony, remarking that O’Laughlin had “made history” after being voted in unanimously, 34-0— including O’Laughlin’s own vote. This rare, nonpartisan display of support marked a unified Senate not seen in recent memory.
After the vote and her swearing-in, O’Laughlin addressed the Senate, laying out her goals for the legislative session. She expressed gratitude for the trust placed in her and reflected on her journey from business owner and activist to public servant, thanking her husband, Russell, for his support.
O’Laughlin emphasized the importance of strengthening families as the foundation of Missouri’s success. She called for addressing poverty, addiction, and child welfare with compassion and practical solutions. She also renewed her longstanding call for education reform, citing the urgency of ensuring children achieve literacy by third grade and develop reading comprehension by eighth grade, while sharply criticizing the state’s low testing scores in these areas.
She addressed rising crime in Missouri, advocating for stronger law enforcement, swift consequences for repeat offenders, and a focus on reclaiming safe communities. O’Laughlin also expressed conservative stances on issues like abortion and illegal immigration.
Closing her approximately 15-minute speech, O’Laughlin called for greater accountability in government and urged her colleagues to work together to deliver measurable results for Missourians.
“I am excited for the work ahead. If you share my belief that Missouri can do better, that we can prioritize spending more effectively, and that we can demand greater accountability from our government at all levels, then I look forward to working with you to lay a foundation for success and deliver the results Missourians deserve,” said O’Laughlin. “To my colleagues, I offer this invitation: Let us rise to the responsibility we have been entrusted with. Leadership requires collaboration, thoughtful debate, and decisions rooted in sound policy. It is not always an easy path, and there will always be critics. But I have confidence in each of you, in your ideas, and in your commitment to making Missouri a great place to live, work, build a business, and raise a family. Together, we can build something lasting.”
After the Ceremony
Following the session’s opening, O’Laughlin visited with friends, colleagues, and past female senators who returned to witness her historic achievement. She posed for photos, shared cake in the Senate lounge, and later met with her expanded staff during an all-hands meeting to end the day.
Videos of the opening ceremony, including the vote, swearing-in, and O’Laughlin’s speech, are available on The Edina Sentinel’s YouTube channel. Photos from the Capitol on Jan. 8, 2025, will also be available this week on The Edina Sentinel and NEMOnews.net Facebook pages.
President Pro Tem in the Missouri Senate Background
The president pro tempore is a key leadership role in the Missouri Senate, elected by the Senate members at the start of each General Assembly.
•Presiding Over the Senate – The pro tem serves as the presiding officer of the Senate when the lieutenant governor, the Senate’s official president, is absent. While the lieutenant governor has limited legislative duties, the pro tem often functions as the day-to-day leader during Senate sessions.
•Appointing Committees and Chairs – The pro tem has significant authority to appoint members to Senate committees and select committee chairs, giving them considerable influence over which senators shape the state’s legislation. Committees are essential for reviewing bills, so this power helps set legislative priorities.
Assigning Legislation to •Committees – The pro tem determines which committees bills are sent to after their introduction, impacting the speed and likelihood of their passage. They can prioritize or delay bills based on the majority party’s legislative agenda.
•Setting the Legislative Agenda – As part of Senate leadership, the pro tem collaborates with other leaders (e.g., majority and minority leaders) to decide the priorities and schedule for Senate sessions.
•Representing the Senate – The pro tem represents the Missouri Senate in interactions with the Missouri House of Representatives, the governor, and other entities. They may also serve as a spokesperson for the Senate on legislative matters.
•Administrative Oversight – The pro tem oversees the day-to-day operations of the Senate, including staffing, managing the Senate chamber, and enforcing rules of decorum during sessions.
•Filling Leadership Vacancies – If the lieutenant governor’s office becomes vacant, the pro tem assumes additional duties within the Senate.
•Second in Line for Governor – In Missouri, the president pro tem is second in the line of gubernatorial succession, after the lieutenant governor, according to the Missouri Constitution.
