JEFFERSON CITY – With an unanimous vote by his colleagues in the upper chamber, Sen. Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles, today was elected to the post of President Pro Tem and took the oath of office to serve the highest-ranking position in the Missouri Senate chamber.

As Senate leader, Sen. Dempsey is responsible for managing procedural functions and ruling on parliamentary matters.  During his opening day address to members of the Senate, he outlined the major goals of the chamber for the 2013 legislative session.

“Missourians are demanding leadership in these challenging times,” said Dempsey.  “Members of the Missouri Senate will continue to work for the people by accomplishing our top legislative priorities.”

Dempsey continued, “I believe both sides of the aisle can continue to work together and hit the ground running to pass common-sense solutions to the problems Missourians are facing.”

Sen. Dempsey previously served as Senate Majority Caucus Whip from 2009-2010, followed by Majority Floor Leader from 2011-2012.  In addition, he served seven years in the Missouri House of Representatives before was elected to the Senate after winning a special election in September 2007.  He then was re-elected to the Missouri Senate in 2008 and once more in 2012.

To learn more about Sen. Dempsey, including reading his biography, viewing a list of his sponsored and co-sponsored legislation for 2013, or keeping up with his legislative actions through his media link, please visit www.senate.mo.gov/dempsey.