JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Republican Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has appointed Republican Treasurer Eric Schmitt to replace Josh Hawley as attorney general.
Schmitt, 43, will replace current Attorney General Josh Hawley, who just ran a successful campaign against Sen. Claire McCaskill to represent Missouri in the U.S. Senate.
Voters elected Schmitt as treasurer by wide margins in 2016. He previously served as a state senator representing suburban St. Louis.
"It was important to appoint someone who has already been thoroughly vetted by the people of Missouri. Eric is someone who I highly respect, personally trust, and have full confidence to serve as Missouri’s chief law enforcement officer,” said Governor Parson.
He's a St. Louis native, having graduated from DeSmet Jesuit High School. He graduated from Truman State University and earned a law degree from Saint Louis University.
“It is an incredible honor to be named the lawyer for 6 million Missourians, and I promise to fight each and every day so that the next generation of Missourians have the same opportunities I’ve enjoyed in the greatest country on earth," Schmitt said. "I believe everyone is granted the right to be treated equally under the law. No matter who you are, what race or religion you are, your background, your creed – every single person is entitled to equality of opportunity and a fair shake under the law."
Schmitt's appointment will leave another vacancy in a statewide seat for Parson to fill. That will mean half of Missouri's statewide officeholders were appointed and not elected to their seats.
Parson named Mike Kehoe lieutenant governor after Parson left that role to assume the governorship when former Gov. Eric Greitens resigned.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
