Two former Missouri State Senators – Shalonn “Kiki” Curls (D) and Jason Holsman (D) – have resigned their seats to take state executive positions. Both were appointed by Gov. Mike Parson (R) and confirmed by their colleagues in the Senate.
Curls, who previously represented District 9, assumed office as one of three commissioners on the Missouri Labor and Industrial Relations Commission following her confirmation on January 16, 2020.
That same day, Holsman joined the five-member Missouri Public Service Commission, which is charged with regulating electric, steam, natural gas, water and sewer and telephone companies in Missouri. Holsman previously represented District 7.
The departure of Holsman and Curls from the Senate leaves two vacancies in the chamber and reduces the number of Democratic senators’ from ten to eight. The Republicans hold a state government trifecta in Missouri with the governorship and majorities in both chambers of the General Assembly.
The typical process for filling vacancies in the Missouri State Senate requires the governor to call for a special election. Both Curls and Holsman were term-limited at the time of their appointments, however, and were therefore not eligible to run for re-election. With both seats up for election later this year, Gov. Parson may elect not to call for special elections for the seats.
Additional reading:
Missouri State Senate elections, 2020
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