CLAYTON, Mo. — With the upcoming departure of Wesley Bell, the elected prosecutor for Missouri’s largest county, the situation surrounding his replacement has become urgent. Bell, who recently triumphed over Rep. Cori Bush in the Democratic primary and subsequently won the general election, is set to join Congress on January 3. His departure leaves a vacancy that must be filled by an appointed individual, and both local and state officials are making their cases.
Democratic St. Louis County Executive Sam Page has put forth the name of former federal prosecutor Cort VanOstran for the role, announcing this decision on December 3. Concurrently, Republican Gov. Mike Parson has chosen Melissa Price Smith—a veteran assistant prosecutor in St. Louis County—as his appointee.
Now, the matter will likely be settled in court, as time is of the essence; whoever is appointed will serve the remaining two years of Bell’s term, which extends until January 1, 2027. The dispute between Page and Parson arises from differing interpretations of the Missouri Constitution regarding who has the authority to make this appointment. Parson, along with Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey, filed a lawsuit against Page and St. Louis County in November, claiming that the governor is mandated to fill such vacancies unless stated otherwise by law.
On their end, Page’s administration asserts that the St. Louis County Charter allows the county executive to appoint the prosecuting attorney. “We are confident the courts will agree,” said Doug Moore, Page’s spokesman, while emphasizing the focus on public safety during this uncertainty.
Interestingly, another county in Missouri—St. Charles County—faced a similar situation last year when Tim Lohmar resigned as prosecutor. The county’s Republican executive, Steve Ehlmann, appointed Joseph McCulloch without interference from the governor’s office.
As the situation unfolds, both Page and Parson are promoting their respective nominees. Smith, aged 56, has been with the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office since 2008 and currently oversees the prosecution of sensitive cases such as sexual assault and child abuse. In a statement, Parson expressed confidence in Smith’s ability to enforce the law effectively and ensure public safety, highlighting her extensive career in putting various offenders behind bars.
In her own remarks, Smith emphasized her commitment to pursuing justice for victims and collaborating with law enforcement to maintain safety in the county.
Meanwhile, VanOstran, 36, brings a different background to the table. After resigning from his role as a federal prosecutor in Missouri’s Eastern District to accept the appointment, he has handled a range of serious crimes, including fraud and drug offenses. VanOstran has political experience as well, having narrowly lost a congressional bid in 2018 to Republican Ann Wagner.
Page praised VanOstran as a dedicated public servant with a strong record of advocating for crime victims and confronting powerful entities on behalf of ordinary citizens. “As the next St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney, he will work every day to keep our community safe,” Page stated, reinforcing his selection’s qualifications.
The legal proceedings that will determine who ultimately steps into the role will be closely followed in the coming weeks as both appointees and their supporters prepare for what could become a significant political battle.