The Missouri House of Representatives elected Dr. John Patterson as speaker of the 103rd General Assembly after a floor vote, winning 152 votes to 10, the clerk announced.

Patterson, a physician and the representative from Jackson County’s 30th District, took the oath administered by Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary R. Russell and delivered remarks calling for bipartisan work on foster care legislation, pediatric mental health investments and public safety.

The vote followed nominations on the floor and short nominating speeches. A challenger nominated from St. Louis County’s 110th District was put forward; the record shows the final tally was 152 to 10 in favor of Patterson. The clerk announced the results and a committee escorted Patterson to the dais to be sworn in.

“As your speaker, I ask you to join me today and commit to working together to make life safer, better and more affordable for Missouri families,” Patterson said after taking the oath. He also told members he would refer legislation intended to help foster children to committee the next week and asked the budget committee to continue investments in pediatric mental-health programs, citing a recent $25,000,000 investment in the Illuminate initiative at Children’s Mercy Hospital of Kansas City.

During his remarks Patterson said he is the first speaker from Jackson County in 157 years, the first medical doctor to serve as speaker in 140 years and the first Asian American to hold the office, descriptions he gave on the floor. Chief Justice Mary R. Russell administered the speaker’s oath before the chamber.

The House then continued organizational business, including electing other officers and adopting temporary rules.

The election of a speaker establishes the member who will control the House agenda and refer bills to committees for the session; Patterson’s initial commitments identified child welfare, mental health and public safety as early priorities for the chamber.