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.

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

Hanaway served as U.S. attorney in Missouri’s eastern district, which is based in St. Louis. She also served as speaker of the Missouri House from 2003 to 2005, and as a staffer for the late U.S. Sen. Christopher “Kit” Bond.