The appointment marked a political homecoming of sorts for Hanaway, a former federal prosecutor, Missouri House speaker and candidate for governor.

Former U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway has been appointed as Missouri's next attorney general. She takes over from Andrew Bailey, who is leaving for a position with the FBI.

Less than 24 hours after Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced he was resigning to join the Trump administration. Gov. Mike Kehoe selected Hanaway, who was also the first woman to serve as Missouri House Speaker,