Former Speaker of the Missouri House Catherine Hanaway has been nominated by President Bush to be the new federal prosecutor in St. Louis. Hanaway is a Republican from Warson Woods, credited with helping the party capture the majority in the House for the first time in nearly 50 years. She lost her attempt at statewide office when she lost to Democrat Robin Carnahan in the race for Secretary of State last year. The loss prompted widespread discussion of her future, with many political observers pointing to the US Attorney for Eastern Missouri position. Former US Attorney Ray Gruender left the post to become a judge on the 8th US Circuit Court of Appeals. James Martin has been serving in the post on an interim basis. Hanaway must be confirmed by the Senate.
