JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.— Gov. Mike Parson announced his office is accepting and would review applications for St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney after current prosecutor Wesley Bell got elected to Congress.
It comes two days after St. Louis County Executive Sam Page said the county would appoint Bell’s replacement.
The governor’s office says it has communicated with Page’s office on multiple occasions about its intent to select Bell’s successor. Attorney General Andrew Bailey has also sent a letter to Page outlining the governor’s legal authority to make such an appointment saying that following any other process to fill the vacancy “will likely be a violation of the Constitution.”
"We truly want the best person for the job who can improve law and order in St. Louis County," Gov. Parson said. "Similar to our historic opportunity to appoint a new St. Louis City Circuit Attorney, the St. Louis County Prosecutor will be tasked with the responsibility to bring meaningful and lasting change that strengthens public safety in our state's largest metro area.”
Parson appointed Gabe Gore to the Circuit Attorney’s office in St. Louis City after Kim Gardner resigned under legislative pressure from lawmakers in Jefferson City and legal proceedings from the Attorney General’s office that sought her removal.
Page’s Nov. 6 press release announced its search for Bell’s replacement, mentioning the process would be similar to the one in St. Charles County where county executive Steve Ehlmann oversaw the appointment of Joe McCulloch in 2023 after Tim Lohmar resigned.
Page is a Democrat. Ehlman, Bailey and Parson are all Republicans.
Bailey’s Nov. 7 letter to Sam Page states “The General Assembly has enacted an implementing statute that confirms the governor’s appointments power for all county prosecuting attorneys.”
The letter also points out that St. Louis County’s charter cannot and does not displace the governor’s authority for this position.
Bailey asks Page to respond no later than Nov. 12 at 5 p.m. and confirm “that you will not usurp the Governor’s exclusive appointments power.”
Rep.-elect Wesley Bell released a statement through his campaign saying the St. Louis County Charter gives the county executive authority to appoint the successor.
He adds, “I will support the process established by their team in every way possible. I strongly believe that my successor should be chosen from our office’s current leadership team in order to ensure continuity and stability in the office, and I will work closely with my eventual successor during their transition to leading the office. The mission of our office is and always will be to protect the public and to seek justice -- and, regardless of who my successor ultimately will be, as a region we all have a stake in their success, which directly correlates with public safety and the success of the region.”
Spectrum News has reached out to Sam Page’s and Mike Parson’s offices for comment.