House Speaker John Diehl, who is considered the most powerful and influential lawmaker in Missouri, announced on Thursday that he will be resigning from office after news about him texting sexually-charged messages to a 19-year old intern surfaced. 

John Diehl, who also plans to resign from his legislative seat in St. Louis County, is expected to make his decision official early Friday.

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In an official statement, he said, "I have acknowledged making a serious error in judgment by sending the text messages. It was wrong and I am truly sorry."

He continued to say that leaders are often heard apologizing but are not willing to deal with the consequences, but he is willing to face the consequences of his action.

Not long after John Diehl made the decision to resign, Republicans had a meeting and chose Poplar Bluff's Todd Richardson to be the next House Speaker. Though Richardson is the majority floor leader, he still needs to win a House vote to become the next speaker.

On late Wednesday, John Diehl had admitted to having a relationship with the legislative intern and asked for forgiveness. He even announced to the media then, that he had no plans of giving up his position.

His removal from office was a matter for the majority of the Republicans, who met together that same day and adjourned with neither a consensus nor a vote of confidence that the 49-year old lawmaker should go.

Come Thursday morning, however, the circumstances had changed and rumors circulating suggested that his resignation was a certainty.

John Diehl confirmed the rumors himself and announced that he was resigning "for the good of my party, the caucus and this state."

A lot of people present in the Statehouse were relieved with Ash Grove Republican Rep. Mike Moon who called for the lawmaker's removal, even saying that it's time for Diehl to focus on his family and that he made the right decision.

The Star featured a story about John Diehl and exposed his exchange of sexual text messages with the Missouri Southern State University intern and his numerous attempts to put an end to the story or postpone its publication.

The discovery of their relationship resulted in the cancellation of the State University's Capitol internship program. The intern also spoke out about the issue through her lawyer hours after John Diehl announced he would resign and simply thanked the people who are currently supporting her.

In the statement, she said that the matter has become extremely difficult for her and John Diehl's families and she hopes that they can all start with the healing process. She added that she hopes other students would still be able to gain positive experience through the internship program.

Democrats were also quick to call for John Diehl's resignation over the sexual texts. Gov. Jay Nixon referred to Diehl's actions as "inappropriate and troubling" while Rep. Lauren Arthur said that what he did was an "abuse of power and trust."

Fortunately for John Diehl, some of his colleagues have remained extremely loyal and publicly expressed their support for him on Thursday. Rep. Scott Fitzpatrick and Woody Cozad both said that it was the right thing to do while Rod Jetton, who formerly dealt with his own scandals during his time in office felt sympathetic for Diehl.

John Diehl is married and has three children. Just this year, he co-filed an "amicus curiae" (friend of the court), which supports the 2004 Missouri Marriage Amendment, which maintains that marriage shall only be between man and woman.

TagsMissouri, House Speaker, John Diel, sexting, John Diehl resignation