JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – State Rep. Brad Christ wants to ensure no public official removed from office by the quo warranto process is able to hold that office again. The quo warranto process is currently being utilized by Attorney General Andrew Bailey to remove failed St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner from office.
Christ has drafted language he plans to attach to an existing House Bill that would change state law to prohibit a public official removed from office by a quo warranto proceeding from running again for that same office.
Christ, who has carried legislation this session to place the St. Louis Police Department under state control, said he is committed to making St. Louis safer for families and businesses. He said it’s a matter of commonsense to prohibit an official removed from office for dereliction of duty from holding that position again.
“When we have a crisis situation where the Attorney General has to intervene to restore order we should respect that process and abide by its results. If our legal process confirms an official isn’t fit to hold office, we need to honor the finality of that decision and protect the process from being circumvented simply by running for office again,” said Christ, R-St. Louis.
Christ added, “Gardner’s failures in office have cost our state lives and have undeniably made the City of St. Louis a much more dangerous place to live and do business. She has lost the support of her own party and other city officials because of her many failings. If and when Attorney General Bailey conclusively proves she is not fit to hold office, I want the City to be able to move forward with new leadership that will make it a priority to keep our streets safe and put violent offenders behind bars.”