Appeals Court Rules Missouri Governor Holds Power in Appointing County Prosecutor

The appeals court has sided with the Missouri governor over the St. Louis County’s executive in the legal dispute.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson listens to a media question during a press conference in Jefferson City, Mo., on May 29, 2019. Jacob Moscovitch/Getty Images

A Missouri appeals court ruled on Thursday that Gov. Mike Parson holds the authority to appoint St. Louis County’s next prosecuting attorney, following competing nomination from the county.

The ruling followed a legal dispute between Parson, a Republican, and St. Louis County Executive Sam Page, a Democrat, over the right to appoint the replacement to outgoing prosecuting attorney, Wesley Bell, who will leave office for Congress on Jan. 3.