– State Rep. Denny Hoskins, R-Warrensburg, defeated Rep. Jeannie Riddle in the intra-party race for speaker pro tem over the weekend in St. Louis.

Hoskins, however, did so with no votes to spare.

According to a source close to the caucus’s election process, Hoskins pulled 55 votes on Saturday – the exact number of votes required to win in the 109 member caucus. Riddle pulled 42 votes.

Hoskins is expected to take office after a largely ceremonial vote by the entire House of Representatives on September 11, when lawmakers convene for veto session.

The seat became open early after Rep. Jason Smith, the last speaker pro tem, was elected to congress in June.