JEFFERSON CITY — Republican infighting in the Missouri House could come to a head as legislators convene for their next session early next year.

State Rep. Justin Sparks, R-Wildwood, announced Sunday in an online video he would challenge House Majority Leader Jonathan Patterson, R-Lee’s Summit, for the speaker’s gavel in January.

Sparks, a former St. Louis County police officer and member of the Missouri Freedom Caucus, cited Patterson’s opposition to overturning the pro-abortion-rights Amendment 3 as a key reason for his challenge.

“On day one, your speaker must address and tackle Amendment 3,” Sparks said, adding polls show Missourians want abortion restrictions.

The bid by a member of the Missouri Freedom Caucus threatens to disrupt the beginning of session, normally a day full of ceremony in which members formally elect a speaker.

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House Republicans, who have controlled the chamber for more than 20 years, have historically chosen the next speaker of the House more than year before the person actually takes the gavel.

In Patterson’s case, Republicans selected him in a closed-door vote that took place in September 2023 .

Patterson hasn't always gone along with hot-button Republican proposals while Sparks is among the most outspoken members on conservative social issues.

In October, Patterson said that legislators would respect the will of the people if they approved Amendment 3, the abortion-rights measure voters passed last Tuesday.

He also voted against a law prohibiting puberty blockers, hormone treatment and gender surgeries for transgender minor; and put a stop to pro-gun legislation in the wake of a high-profile shooting earlier this year in Kansas City.

House Majority Leader Jonathan Patterson, R-Lee’s Summit, stands with other Republican lawmakers during a press conference in Jefferson City on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024.

Sparks last month had criticized Patterson’s comments on Amendment 3 and continued to do so over the weekend.

Patterson, who is a general surgeon, did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday.

“When asked about Amendment 3, he said that we would have to — that abortion bans don’t work in Missouri, and we’d have to respect the law,” Sparks said in his video. “That’s not what the leader of the Republican caucus should be saying, guys.”

Sparks, in his video, also criticized “the system that gave us Jon Patterson.”

“The uncomfortable truth is, power is for sale in Jefferson City. If you want to be a chairman of a powerful committee, you gotta pay,” Sparks said in the video. “If you want to be on the budget committee, you gotta pay.

“When I got to Jefferson City, they gave all the Republicans an envelope. Inside the envelope was a card,” Sparks said in the video. He said inside the envelope was a card that had a dollar amount, which varied by representative.

“Mine was $20,000. That’s what I was being required to give to the House Republican Campaign Committee in order to buy my position on powerful committees and to possibly be in leadership one day,” Sparks said in the video.

“I’ve talked to so many of my colleagues who hate this system,” he added. “That system must go.”

Sparks generated attention in August when he held a news conference outside of an Ellisville gym as he and others protested a transgender woman using a woman’s locker room there.

Republicans will return to Jefferson City with a strong 111-52 majority. It takes 82 votes to control the House. Patterson could lose some Republican support and still take the speakership.

Rep. Brian Seitz, a Branson Republican, said Monday he has supported Patterson but would keep an open mind.

“I’ve supported speaker — incoming Speaker Patterson since he announced. And I think I’ll continue that support, though ... everyone in the caucus is free to run for a leadership position,” Seitz said.

Asked if he is sticking with Patterson, Seitz said he’d have to speak with Sparks and see what he has to offer.

“But Representative Patterson has been a good friend to myself and I think he would do a great job as speaker and I have supported him from the beginning. But I will be open-minded,” Seitz said.