Schmitt appointment means another office to fill

State Treasurer Eric Schmitt’s appointment as Missouri attorney general means the governor will soon have appointed three of the state’s six executive branch elected officials.

Gov. Mike Parson announced his selection of Schmitt to become attorney general Tuesday, filling the position Josh Hawley will leave vacant Jan. 3 after his win over incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill this month.

After filling the treasurer position when Schmitt becomes attorney general, Parson will have appointed three of the six elected officials in the state’s executive branch. His first appointment was former state Sen. Mike Kehoe to be lieutenant governor.

“The problem is of course they have been given these appointments by the current governor,” said University of Missouri political science professor Peverill Squire. “So to some extent they will be less independent of him …”

Only two executive branch officials will have been elected after the winners of the Nov. 6 election are sworn in — Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and Auditor Nicole Galloway. Parson himself assumed his current office after former Gov. Eric Greitens resigned. Galloway was appointed to her office by former Gov. Jay Nixon, but won a contested election this month.

“It’s unusual and it’s not something that most people who wrote our constitution were anticipating,” Squire said.

He said a governor’s ability to make statewide appointments varies state to state.

“In Missouri it’s unusual to have so many statewide offices filled by appointment, but you can find other states where it is the norm.” Squire said.

During the the announcement Tuesday, Parson said he recognizes the unique situation he is in.

“We are very cautious about how we go about that process and make sure we get what we believe is the best qualified person that represents all Missourians,” Parson said.