Missouri – Governor Mike Kehoe has chosen Catherine L. Hanaway to be Missouri’s next Attorney General. This is a momentous event for the state. During a press conference at the Missouri State Capitol earlier this week, Kehoe made the announcement and lauded Hanaway’s long history of working in law and public service.
Hanaway will take over on September 8, 2025, when current Attorney General Andrew Bailey leaves to become Co-Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Hanaway is the first woman in Missouri’s history to be Attorney General and the first significant statewide official chosen by the Kehoe administration.
Governor Kehoe stressed how important the nomination was by calling the Attorney General the state’s top legal officer and highlighting Hanaway’s experience as a prosecutor and leader.
“There is not a more qualified person to serve Missourians as our next Attorney General than Catherine Hanaway,” Kehoe stated. He highlighted her background as a former U.S. Attorney, noting her commitment to upholding the rule of law.
Hanaway has an extensive track record of being a leader at both the state and federal levels. She is now a partner with Husch Blackwell, a St. Louis-based company. Before that, she was the business’s first female Chair. Before that, she was the first and only woman to be the Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives. As U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, she also oversaw hundreds of cases and came up with new ways to prosecute criminals.
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In her remarks, Hanaway expressed gratitude to Governor Kehoe and pledged to continue the work of her predecessor.
“I want to thank Governor Kehoe for this opportunity. It is a humbling honor to be selected for this role, and a duty I do not take lightly,” Hanaway said. “Attorney General Bailey has done an incredible job fighting for Missourians, and I am eager to get to work on behalf of Missourians to uphold the rule of law, protect the Constitution, and ensure a strong future for our state.”
Governor Kehoe also commended Bailey’s new appointment to the FBI, calling it a reflection of national confidence in his abilities. He said that Missouri would miss Bailey’s leadership, but that his time in Washington would be good for the whole country.
Hanaway’s appointment makes her an even bigger trailblazer in Missouri politics. She has a Juris Doctor from The Catholic University of America and a bachelor’s degree from Creighton University. For a long time, she has blended her legal knowledge with her civic activity. She continues to participate in groups like the St. Louis Regional Crime Commission Board and the Regional Business Council outside of work.
Her swearing-in as Missouri’s 45th Attorney General will be both a continuation of excellent legal leadership and a first for the state.
