JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - The Missouri House unanimously elected Majority Leader Todd Richardson to take over the chamber's top spot on Friday following the resignation of House Speaker John Diehl, who acknowledged exchanging sexually suggestive text messages with a Capitol intern.
Diehl led the chamber in the pledge of allegiance Friday, the last day of the session, then apologized again to members before officially resigning as speaker. His final farewell suggested he hopes he won't be remembered by the incident, saying pictures are not painted "with a single color."
"It's a little more complicated than that, and it's a little more detailed," Diehl said. "I hope someday when I'm forgiven for my mistakes that my picture, my portrait is more complete."
His goodbye was met by a standing ovation by some, while others refused to rise from their seats. Some representatives cried.
Diehl's resignation came after The Kansas City Star released a story accompanied by screenshots of what the newspaper said were electronic messages between Diehl and the intern. Some of the messages were sexually suggestive. He acknowledged "making a serious error in judgment by sending the text messages" to the intern, who no longer works at the Capitol.
His stepping down adds to a tumultuous year in Missouri politics. In February, State Auditor Tom Schweich, who was seeking the Republican nomination for governor, fatally shot himself after alleging a top GOP official was leading a smear campaign against him. A month later, Schweich's spokesman also died in a suicide.
Immediately after Diehl left the House chamber, representatives elected Richardson to take over as speaker. He took the oath of office with his hand on a Bible held by his wife.
"I cannot express to you what an honor it is to be in this position and how humbled I am by the awesome responsibility of the task before us," said Richardson, of Poplar Bluff.
Republican Rep. Sonya Anderson of Springfield called Richardson "the definition of integrity" as she called on members to vote for him. Republicans - who hold an overwhelming majority of the seats in the House - picked him for the position during a private meeting Thursday night.
Richardson said he hopes to get the House back on track passing legislation in the last few hours of session. He assumed the seat as the Legislature faces a 6 p.m. deadline to pass bills this session.
Related video report: