Governor Mike Parson (R) appointed a familiar name in state government as Missouri’s next attorney general. The governor announced the appointment of Andrew Bailey in late November. Mr. Bailey has been serving as general counsel for the governor’s office. Bailey will be sworn-in as Missouri’s next attorney general on January 3, around the time outgoing attorney general Eric Schmitt is sworn-in to the U.S. Senate in Washington. Bailey joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”, telling listeners the transition is going well. He says consumer protection will be a key part of his AG office, noting he’s been working on the rural Missouri Gygr-Gas issue at the governor’s office. Mr. Bailey also says Josh Devine will serve as Solicitor General and that D. John Sauer will remain in his office as Deputy Attorney General for Special Litigation:
(AUDIO): Missouri Attorney General Schmitt discusses Gygr-Gas on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
Outgoing Missouri attorney general Eric Schmitt (R) has just announced that his office is suing Boonville-based Gygr-Gas, which has ceased operations. Governor Mike Parson (R) blasted the company last week, saying Gygr-Gas has abandoned several thousand Missourians. Schmitt’s lawsuit alleges that Gygr-Gas abruptly closed late this year and failed to notify its customers that it would stop making the propane deliveries they depended on. Schmitt’s lawsuit also says Gygr-Gas allegedly failed to refund customer prepayments for propane gas. The lawsuit was filed today in Cooper County Circuit Court. Outgoing Attorney General Schmitt joined us live today on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”, and news director Brian Hauswirth asked the AG about the Gygr-Gas situation. Mr. Schmitt is encouraging anyone impacted by the Gygr-Gas case to file a complaint with his office:
Missouri’s governor say his AG pick embodies faith, family and freedom
Missouri’s next attorney general is a familiar name in state government and at the Statehouse in Jefferson City.
Governor Mike Parson (R) has appointed his office’s general counsel, Andrew Bailey, to the post. Bailey has also served as a Missouri Assistant Attorney General and as general counsel for the Missouri Department of Corrections.
He will be Missouri’s fourth attorney general in six years. Governor Mike Parson says bringing stability to the AG’s office is critical. The governor says he looked for five core things with this appointment.
“Commitment to law and order, patriotism and respect for the (state) Constitution. Conservative values, family values and someone who would promote calm and steady while never afraid to fight for Missourians,” Parson says.
Bailey’s start date hasn’t been determined yet. While the governor didn’t say it, he implied that he expects Bailey to run for the post in 2024. Parson tells Capitol reporters that Bailey has had many accomplishments as general counsel for the governor’s office.
“We fought for the unborn and ended elective abortions in Missouri. We’ve strengthened the Second Amendment protections. Supported law enforcement at every turn,” says Bailey.
Bailey will replace U.S. Sen.-Elect Eric Schmitt, the outgoing attorney general. This is the second time Governor Parson has appointed an attorney general. Parson appointed Schmitt to the post in 2018, when Josh Hawley was elected to the U-S Senate.
Meantime, Missouri’s top House Democrat is calling on Bailey to end what she calls outgoing attorney general Schmitt’s frivolous lawsuits. House Minority Leader Crystal Quade (D-Springfield) says Schmitt used the attorney general’s office “as a taxpayer-funded arm of his political campaigns,” saying he wasted money on frivolous lawsuits.
‘We are hopeful that Mr. Bailey can succeed in the immense task that awaits him,” Leader Quade says, in a news release.
As for GOP Governor Parson, he says Bailey embodies the ideals of faith, family and freedom, and that he’ll fight for Missouri children like they’re his own.