Governor accepts resignation of state health director after protests related to vaccine

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The director of Missouri's Department of Health and Senior Services resigned Tuesday, just hours after a Senate committee refused to vote on his nomination.

Donald Kauerauf had been serving as director since the summer but was slated for confirmation now that the General Assembly is in session. His confirmation hearing Monday drew dozens of protesters, some of whom claimed Kauerauf supported coronavirus vaccine mandates. Kauerauf has not publicly stated support for a vaccine mandate but has promoted vaccinating as many people as possible.

Parson announced the resignation in a news release late Tuesday. He appointed Richard Moore, the department's general counsel, to lead the department as acting director and will look at the state's options in the coming days the release says.

Among Kauerauf's critics was Sen. Mike Moon (R-Ash Grove), who sits on the Senate's Gubernatorial Appointments Committee.

"It's unfortunate that we now have to disrupt state operations and the leadership at an entire department because the Missouri Senate chose to indulge a few men's egos," Parson said in a statement shared in the news release and on social media. "The events that have transpired over the past few days surrounding Don's Senate confirmation hearing are nothing short of disgraceful, unquestionably wrong, and an embarrassment to this state and the people we serve.

"I've been a conservative Republican my entire life and contrary to what some Senators believe, tarnishing a man's character by feeding misinformation, repeating lies, and disgracing 35 years of public health experience is not what it means to be conservative."

Parson reiterated, as he did after Monday's confirmation hearing, that Kauerauf opposed mask and vaccine mandates.