Rupp

Gov. Jay Nixon’s nominee to head the economic development department ran into rough waters in the Senate today, even after Sen. Brad Lager, R-Savannah, said he’d support her.

Lager was holding up the nomination of Linda Martinez, a lawyer from the St. Louis firm Bryan Cave, because he said he wanted to make sure she didn’t have any conflicts of interest regarding clients who might be seeking state tax credits. This morning, Lager said he was satisfied that Martinez was “competent and capable.”

But Sen. Scott Rupp, R-Wentzville, wasn’t ready to accept that pronouncement, mostly, because he said he was appalled that Martinez hadn’t sought his support.

Martinez is opposed by some conservatives because of her views on illegal immigration. Rupp sponsored the legislation last year that strengthened Missouri’s laws regarding illegal immigration. Rupp said that it made no sense to him that Martinez wouldn’t have come to see him to discuss her nomination.

He pointed out over and over again that his office was “17 steps” from Lager’s office. Lager said he had met with Martinez 5 times in recent days.

“Maybe if I were to draw a map of the 4th floor on how to get to my office,” it would help, Rupp said while holding up her nomination. Rupp said he hadn’t received any calls or notes of support for Martinez. “All I’m getting is hundreds of e-mails opposing her.”

At one point, Majority Floor Leader Kevin Engler tried to broker a meeting between Martinez and Rupp for later today, but Rupp wouldn’t bite.

“If she wants to call my office and make an appointment like any other constituent, I will meet with her, but not today,” Rupp said.

Engler then arranged a meeting at 9:45 tomorrow morning, and Rupp stopped his filibuster, but only after Martinez’ sponsor in the Senate, Sen. Robin Wright-Jones, D-St. Louis, temporarily withdrew her motion of nomination. In doing so, Wright-Jones suggested that Rupp, and others, might be opposing Martinez because she’s a woman.

Rupp took offense to that allegation. “That’s just a freshman senator not understanding the decorum of the Senate. To make that accusation is irresponsible.”

Both Engler and Sen. Charlie Shields, the Senate president pro tem, said they were surprised by Rupp’s filibuster. After taking his stand, Rupp told reporters that he wanted to make sure Martinez’ views on illegal immigration won’t “interfere with how she would conduct her duties” as director of economic development.

Rupp appeared to have enough support for his filibuster that Martinez might want to schedule a few more meetings with senators while she’s in the building.

He indicated to Wright-Jones that he thought a meeting with Martinez would satisfy his concerns.