Sen. Lacy Clay, D-St. Louis, who won a congressional seat long held by his father, said he has not thought about when he would retire. Sen. Sam Graves, R-Tarkio, also won a congressional seat. Attempts to reach him were unsuccessful. Maxwell, the Democratic caucus chairman, postponed Thursday's caucus meeting pending his decision.
Parties use caucus meetings to designate their legislative leaders.
The complicated web of possible scenarios also cause some uncertainty within the Republican caucus as leadership candidates are not sure what position they are running for. After all, can a chamber without a clear majority party have a majority or minority leader. State House Republicans and Democrats will hold Caucus meetings Thursday as well. Democrats retained their edge in that chamber, even gaining a seat when independent Denny Merideth, of Caruthersville, joined the party. Columbia Rep. Tim Harlan is running for House Speaker against Merideth and Speaker Pro Tem Jim Kreider, D-Nixa.