Hanaway sworn in as attorney general as Bailey leaves for Washington, D.C.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri's new attorney general was sworn in behind closed doors Monday as her predecessor leaves for a new job in Washington, D.C.

Catherine Hanaway was sworn in Monday morning during a private ceremony at the Missouri Supreme Court, the Missouri Attorney General's Office says in a news release. Gov. Mike Kehoe appointed Hanaway to fill the rest of Andrew Bailey's term. Bailey is taking a job as co-deputy director of the FBI.

Hanaway was a Republican House Speaker from 2003-05, the only woman to hold the post. During her time in the Missouri House, Hanaway was one of the main sponsors of a 2003 concealed carry bill. The bill was initially vetoed by then-Governor Bob Holden and later overruled by the General Assembly.

She has also been a federal prosecutor.

Hanaway was also lead counsel for the Grain Belt project while she worked at law firm Husch Blackwell. Many Missouri conservatives oppose the project, which would build a wind energy line across the state.