Bailey sworn in as Missouri Attorney General

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri’s next attorney general was sworn in Tuesday at the Supreme Court Building in Jefferson City.

Andrew Bailey was appointed by Gov. Mike Parson on Nov. 23 to be the next attorney general. The position was open following Eric Schmitt’s election to the U.S. Senate this past November. Bailey was previously the general counsel for the governor's office.

"He is a proven conservative, talented attorney, former prosecutor, a United States Army veteran, a family man and a father of four, a man of faith and a proud Missourian,” Parson said in a Nov. 23 press conference.

Watch a replay of the ceremony in the player.

Parson briefly spoke before Bailey was sworn in as attorney general and said Bailey was one of five candidates he considered for the job.

"I've had the personal privilege of working with Andrew, going through some of the toughest times in our state." Parson said. "It's important to me, does he love this state, like most of us love?... Does he love this country? Those basic principles have to be part of the selection process. I can't think of a stronger candidate than what Andrew was."

This is Parson’s second appointment for the attorney general position. Schmitt was also appointed after Josh Hawley was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2018.

Bailey told reporters Tuesday that Parson wouldn't appoint someone who is a "lackey" and he's confident he was the right choice.

"I am an independent Constitutional officer," Bailey said. "That's why the Governor appointed me and I intend to discharge the duties of this office as I see fit."

Bailey was named general counsel for the governor's office in March 2021. Before that, he was an assistant prosecutor in Warren County and an assistant attorney general. He was deployed to Iraq twice during his stint in the army.

During the swearing in ceremony, Bailey spoke to a crowd about his missions in Iraq and said they have prepared him for a position like this, "the lessons I learned on the streets of Iraq taught me who I am, how to accomplish the mission at hand and how to take care of people."

When asked about Missouri's no-call list, Bailey says he will continue to provide that service to Missourians.

"Consumer protection is a top priority issue, it's assigned to the attorney general's office and we're gunna rededicate ourselves to those task to make sure we provide good consumer protection." Bailey says.

As far as the lawsuits filed under former attorneys general Eric Schmitt and Josh Hawley, Bailey said he isn't going to dismiss them.

"We've reviewed some of the cases," Bailey said. "We have a lot of work to conduct that review and we'll look for more opportunities for wins."

Parson said in November that he picked Bailey in part to give the office stability -- Bailey plans to run for attorney general in 2024.