Topeka ? For Dennis Moore, it took eight years; for Nancy Boyda, nine days.

That’s how long Democrats Moore and Boyda had to wait to vote for House speaker.

Moore, first elected to Congress in 1998, represents the east side of Lawrence; Boyda, elected last week in an upset over five-term Republican Jim Ryun, represents the west side.

The two were among House Democrats who voted Thursday for Nancy Pelosi, of San Francisco, for speaker. Come January, the Democrats will hold the majority in the House for the first time since 1994.

Moore and Boyda also said Friday they voted for Steny Hoyer, of Maryland, over John Murtha, of Pennsylvania, to be House Majority Leader.

Hoyer won 149-86 in a move that was interpreted by many as a political setback for Pelosi because she had endorsed Murtha.

But Moore and Boyda said they don’t expect the dust-up to have any lasting effect for Pelosi.

“If I had been advising her, she probably wouldn’t have done this (campaigned for Murtha), but she has the right to support whomever she wishes,” Moore said.

He said now that the vote is over, Pelosi and Hoyer will work together. “You’ll see a strong leadership group,” he said.

Boyda agreed, saying she detected no negative feelings in the Democratic caucus after the vote.

Boyda said the Hoyer-Murtha election was an “amazing experience,” with members delivering impassioned speeches for both men during the caucus.

She said she earlier had spoken with Murtha and told him she would vote for Hoyer. Murtha’s reaction? “He give me a big hug. I was shocked. These are two good guys who care deeply about their country,” she said.

Boyda said she supported Hoyer because he helped her campaign two years ago in her first matchup against Ryun. Moore said he had a long-term relationship with Hoyer and had earlier committed to him.

Both Moore and Boyda said that although Pelosi may be viewed as to the left of most Kansas voters, they intend to stay in the center.

In fact, Boyda said all the leaders she has met have encouraged her. “Nancy (Pelosi) has told me twice, ‘Representative is not just a title, it’s a job description. I’m expecting you to represent your district,'” Boyda said.

Moore said Pelosi as the new House leader “will have to look out for all of the party,” which includes the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of 44 moderate to conservative Democrats that he belongs to.

Both Moore and Boyda said voters want Congress to work on major issues facing the country, such as health care, security and energy.

“There are things that desperately need to be done for our country,” Moore said.