With Josh Hawley's election as Missouri's next U.S. senator, Gov. Mike Parson will have the opportunity to name the next attorney general.
"The responsibility to appoint the next attorney general is one that I take very seriously," Parson said Wednesday. "We will continue our deliberative process to ensure we provide stability and continuity to our state's legal representation."
While the Missouri Supreme Court decides whether the governor has the legal and constitutional authority to fill a vacancy in the lieutenant governor's office, there's no question about his power to fill a vacancy in the attorney general's office.
The governor didn't say if he has any specific person, or people, in mind.
"Missouri's next attorney general will be someone who clearly understands and has the ability to continue Josh's record of success in shepherding the state's legal business," Parson said, "by defending Missouri values and protecting our rights. In order to provide a smooth transition, we plan to make our announcement in the near future."
In the unofficial totals reported by the secretary of state's office, Hawley, R-Columbia, won 1,245,732 votes, or 51.425 percent of the total 2,422,425 votes cast.
Incumbent Claire McCaskill received 1,101,377 votes - 45.466 percent of the total vote, and 144,355 votes short of Hawley's total.
The governor, a Republican, praised the voters' choice.
"I am proud that Josh Hawley was elected to be our next U.S. senator," Parson said. "This is wonderful news for Missouri and America.
"Josh was a quality attorney general for our state, but Missourians understand that our country is better off with Josh as our U.S. senator and an ally for President Trump."