Missouri Press Association
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The following is a legislative update from Clarkston Nelson, LLC concerning the appointment of a new Missouri Attorney General. Use the information within to develop local coverage of issues important to your readers.
On Tuesday morning, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe (R) held a press conference at the Missouri State Capitol to announce his appointment of Catherine Hanaway, former Missouri Speaker of the House, to replace Andrew Bailey as Missouri Attorney General. Bailey had announced he would resign from the position on September 8.
Bailey, who was appointed AG by then-Governor Mike Parson in 2022 and who won a four-year term of the office in November 2024, announced Monday that he was resigning after accepting a new position as Co-Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, DC.
Hanaway is a former U.S. Attorney and formerly led a large private practice law firm while residing in St. Louis since her days in the Missouri Legislature. She also served as the chief federal law enforcement officer for the Eastern District of Missouri, was the only woman Speaker of the Missouri House, and for five years was on staff for U.S. Senator Kit Bond.
In introducing Hanaway as the state’s 45th Attorney General, Kehoe said, “We wanted the most qualified person who is ready to work on Day One,” and that she will be tough on crime. Kehoe said he has known Hanaway and her family for more than 20 years. Kehoe later said he had not spoken with any other possible candidates for the AG position other than Hanaway.
She thanked AG Bailey’s work and his staff members, and she thanked the judges of Missouri with gratitude for what they do. Protecting Missourians is the first and most important aspect of the AG’s job, she said, and fighting crime is and will remain Job One of the office. She also mentioned AI (artificial intelligence) and how Missourians need to be protected from AI-related scams, while noting the efficiencies AI can provide.
During questions from the news media, Hanaway said she had been working on a Grain Belt Express lawsuit, so she won’t be able to involve herself as AG in that case. She said her game plan is to serve as AG for the next three years, then she would like to run for election and serve a full term. “I will represent the police officers of the City of St. Louis with great pride,” she said. She intends to ensure that Missouri’s public officials serve with integrity, she noted.
Hanaway earned her Juris Doctor from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Creighton University. She resides in St. Louis with her husband and two children.
Andrew Bailey said on Monday, “It has been a humbling privilege to serve as the 44th Attorney General of the State of Missouri, and I am forever grateful to the people of Missouri for the opportunity to represent our state and your families. My life has been defined by a call to service, and I am once again answering that call, this time at the national level.”
