St. Charles Representative accused of being sexist during discussion on a Nixon appointee

Intro: A St. Louis Democrat accuses a neighboring Republican of being sexist on the Senate floor Wednesday.

Max Reiss has more from the State Capitol.

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Senator Robin Wright Jones said Tuesday the delay on the appointment of Linda Martinez to Director of Economic Development is because of her sex.

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Description: "I'm also dismayed that the nomination, the nominee is a woman and I wonder if some of the pushback is coming from the fact that she may be a woman. I have to, I have to say that in all do respect because that's the way I'm feeling about it."

The comment was directed at St. Charles Republican Senator Scott Rupp, who spoke for nearly 2 hours on the Senate floor about never having a face-to-face meeting with Martinez.

Rupp denied the allegation and said his issue with the Governor's appointee is her stance on immigration, not her biological make-up.

From the Capitol, Max Reiss, 1120 KMOX News.

Intro: A St. Louis Democrat accuses a St. Charles Republican of discriminating against Governor Nixon's appointment to be director of the Department of Economic Development.

Max Reiss has more from the State Capitol.

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Senator Robin Wright-Jones said her colleague's dismay for Linda Martinez's appointment to Director of Economic Development is rooted in the fact she is a woman.

St. Charles Senator Scott Rupp was accused of discrimination on the Senate floor Wednesday.

He denied the allegation.

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Description: "Oh God no. And that I think is just a freshman Senator not understanding the decorum of the Senate to lobby a shot across the bow like that after a 40 minute discussion on someone that's going to be one of the highest paid people in the state."

Rupp said his biggest issue with Martinez is what he calls her soft stance on illegal immigration.

From the Capitol, Max Reiss, 1120 KMOX News.

Intro: Immigration beliefs are the main concern for one Senate Republican on Governor Jay Nixon's appointment to Director of Economic Development.

Max Reiss has more from the State Capitol.

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Linda Martinez was appointed by Governor Jay Nixon to lead the Department of Economic Development more than 3 weeks ago but has yet to be confirmed by the Missouri Senate.

St. Charles Senator Scott Rupp is the most outspoken opponent to Nixon's pick.

Rupp says he is concerned about Martinez's stance on illegal immigration.

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Description: "We want hard working Missourians to get jobs, not those that are here illegally and I wanna make sure that her stances are, are strictly personal views and they will not bleed into her official capacity and duties."

Rupp filibustered for nearly 2 hours voicing his frustration with Martinez for not meeting with him to discuss her appointment.

Reporting from the State Capitol, Max Reiss, 1120 KMOX News.