ST. LOUIS—Six years after his surprising election as St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney, Wesley Bell is likely leaving the office and headed for Congress.

After defeating incumbent Rep. Cori Bush in Tuesday’s Democratic primary, Bell is a prohibitive favorite to win the seat in November against Republican Andrew Jones and Libertarian Rochelle Riggins. The seat has been in Democratic hands for more than half a century.

According to the St. Louis County charter, County Executive Sam Page would appoint a new Prosecuting Attorney who would have to be a Democrat, and would be subject to County Council approval. 

That person would serve until the second Tuesday in January following the next general election, according to the charter, meaning the end of Bell’s current term.

Talking to reporters after his primary victory Tuesday night, Bell said he’s refused to discuss the transition with Page until after the election. 

“Dr. Page and I have always had a good working relationship and so I’m certain we’ll have those conversations. Obviously, it’s his choice, but I’m here to help and support that. We’ve got a great group of men and women in that office and I think, and we’ve been preparing our leadership team to step in whenever this time came,” Bell said.

A Page spokesperson could not be reached for comment Wednesday morning.