Gov. Parson opens applications to replace Wesley Bell as St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. (First Alert 4) - Missouri Governor Mike Parson is accepting applications to replace Wesley Bell as the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney.
Bell easily defeated Andrew Jones Jr. on Tuesday to secure a seat in Congress. Missouri’s First Congressional district covers all of St. Louis City, all of North County and small parts of Mid County and West County.
A day after Bell won the election, St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page said that his office had opened applications to select a replacement for Bell. On Friday, Gov. Parson’s office said that they had communicated their intention to select the appointment to Page’s Office on multiple occasions and that Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey had sent a letter to Page’s Office outlining the Governor’s legal authority to make the appointment.
“We truly want the best person for the job who can improve law and order in St. Louis County,” Gov. Parson said. “Similar to our historic opportunity to appoint a new St. Louis City Circuit Attorney, the St. Louis County Prosecutor will be tasked with the responsibility to bring meaningful and lasting change that strengthens public safety in our state’s largest metro area. We encourage any qualified person who is committed to the rule of law and thinks they have what it takes for this challenge ahead to apply for consideration.”
When First Alert 4 ed Page’s office regarding the Governor taking over filing the vacancy, Doug Moore, Page’s Chief Communications Officer, said, “We are following the process that St. Charles County went through when a new prosecutor was selected there last year. The process does not change because the county executive is of a different party than the governor.”
According to the Governor’s Office, the person who will fill the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney seat will be able to take over on January 3, Bell’s anticipated swearing-in date. Applications to fill the position will close on Nov. 22 at 5 p.m.
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