JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — On Tuesday, Catherine Hanaway was appointed as Missouri's next attorney general by Republican Governor Mike Kehoe. This appointment follows the resignation of former Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who is joining President Donald Trump's administration as the FBI's co-deputy director. Hanaway’s new role will take effect on September 8.
Hanaway, a former U.S. Attorney, has pledged a tough-on-crime strategy for her office. Emphasizing her focus on combating crime, she stated, “Fighting crime is — and will remain — job one for this office.” Her extensive background in Missouri politics highlights her long-standing commitment to public service, having first won election to the Missouri House in 1998 and serving as the state’s first and only woman House speaker.
Throughout her career, Hanaway has maintained a strong presence in the legal field and has extensive connections as a corporate attorney. At Husch Blackwell law firm, she represented global companies such as Bayer, where she lobbied for legislation to protect the company from lawsuits regarding its Roundup weedkiller, which is alleged to cause cancer. Additionally, she represents Invenergy, a company attempting to establish a high-voltage transmission line. Due to her corporate ties, Hanaway will recuse herself from certain cases—including the civil investigation into the Invenergy project.
Andrew Bailey had served as Missouri’s attorney general since January 2023 after winning election to a full four-year term the previous November. His tenure was marked by an aggressive legal approach, frequently taking on the Biden administration on various issues including educational policies, environmental regulations, immigration, and transgender rights. Furthermore, he targeted conservative causes within Missouri, such as confronting private gyms over bathroom policies, advocating for the banning of drag shows in public schools, and defending anti-abortion regulations against a voter-approved constitutional amendment that established a right to abortion.
Hanaway paid tribute to Bailey but emphasized her intent to prioritize criminal matters over civil litigation. She has indicated that she plans to serve out the remainder of Bailey’s term and is eyeing a future candidacy for the attorney general position in 2028.
The attorney general position in Missouri has historically been a springboard for aspiring politicians. For instance, Republican Josh Hawley, after winning the attorney general seat in 2016, quickly transitioned to a successful Senate campaign against Democratic U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill. Following his win, then-Governor Mike Parson appointed state Treasurer Eric Schmitt to fill Hawley’s vacancy. Schmitt, after winning his own term as attorney general in 2020, announced a run for the Senate in 2022, ultimately securing the position and leading to Bailey's appointment to the attorney general role.
With her experience and connections, Hanaway's appointment marks a significant shift in Missouri's legal landscape, pointing towards a continued focus on law enforcement and crime-related issues as she steps into a position that has proven to be influential in the state's political arena.
