Bearden resigns House seat for job as education advocate

JEFFERSON CITY — Republican Rep. Carl Bearden, the No. 2 ranking member in the Missouri House, resigned Thursday to take an advocacy job in which he could end up lobbying his former colleagues on education issues.

Bearden, the House speaker pro tem, was first elected to represent part of St. Charles County in November 2000 and would have been prohibited by term limits from seeking re-election in 2008.

Because of Bearden’s early departure, House members will have to elect a replacement for his leadership position. Separately, Gov. Matt Blunt is expected to call a special election to choose Bearden’s successor in the 16th House District.

Bearden declined to identify for whom he would be working, saying further details would be announced today.

Bearden said term limits played a role in his decision to resign instead of serving out his final year.