Denney swears Bedke in as speaker

It fell to outgoing House Speaker Lawerence Denney this morning to call for the motions for nomination for speaker of the House, knowing that it won’t be for him. Majority Leader Mike Moyle formally nominated new Speaker Scott Bedke, and Minority Leader John Rusche seconded the motion. Denney tripped over the formalities in his final duties as speaker, calling for a voice vote before the nominations had been closed - at which everyone said “aye.” “Shouldn’t have done that,” Denney said quietly with a wry smile.

After Moyle had asked that nominations cease and a unanimous ballot be cast, Denney declared, “The ayes have it and the motion carries.” Bedke was escorted to the speaker’s chair, where Denney administered the oath of office to him and handed over the gavel and lapel microphone. Then, Denney was escorted quietly back to Bedke’s former seat on the floor.

Prior to that handover, all members of both the House and Senate took their oaths of office. The House and Senate both have now gone at ease for selection of seats, which occurs in order of seniority. Moyle told the House, “This is the time where you hurry up and wait … after we choose the seats.” For the remainder of the organizational session, committee assignments and chairmanships will be hashed out by legislative leaders, before they’re finalized and formalized on the floor.