Missouri Democratic Party Chairman Mike Sanders announced he will step down as Chairman at the next state committee meeting on Saturday, August 24th.

Chairman Sanders released the following statement in a press release:

“I am thankful that I had the opportunity to lead the Missouri Democratic Party during the successful elections of such strong leaders like Governor Jay Nixon, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, Treasurer Clint Zweifel, Secretary of State Jason Kander, and Attorney General Chris Koster. I greatly appreciate the support we had along the way and look forward to working with the Party’s next Chair to continue moving Missouri and the Democratic Party forward.”

Sanders was first elected Missouri Democratic Party Chairman November 19th, 2011. Chairman Sanders oversaw the 2012 election cycle where Democrats won five out of six statewide races. In addition to his duties as Chair, Mike Sanders is currently serving his second term as Jackson County Executive.

Governor Nixon tells the party Sanders will be remembered as one of the most successful leaders of Missouri Democrats in recent memory, and says he is grateful for his service.

“Mike showed the entire state of Missouri what the people of Jackson County already know — that when he commits himself to something, he gets the job done,” Nixon said.  “In what was a very challenging political environment, Mike’s tireless work helped Democrats win five of six statewide races on the ballot last fall. When it comes to Mike’s future in public service in our state, the sky is the limit.”

Senator McCaskill is also singing Sanders praises, and released a statement say he is a strong leader, “evidenced by the fact that he’s leaving the party strong,” she said. “Mike’s been generous to give so much of his time and energy over these years to helping Missouri’s families. And he’ll continue to play a key role going forward, as Democrats keep working on the priorities that matter most to Missourians — giving our kids a quality education, fixing our crumbling roads and bridges, and boosting job opportunities across the state.”

Attorney General Koster praises Sanders brought financial stability and order to the organization.

“He traveled the state tirelessly and he was eloquent and persuasive on issues important to Democrats across the state,” Koster said in a release. “And, in a time when Democrats were losing statewide races across the country, Mike’s strong leadership led to victory in 5 out of 6 statewide offices in Missouri. We often feel the closest bonds, professionally, to those of our own generation; and as Mike and I are nearly identical in age and share both a Kansas City background and prosecutor’s career path, my gratitude toward what he and Georgia have done is particularly deep. As they now turn their attention toward Mike’s current job as Jackson County Executive, I ask that we again show him our deepest appreciation.”

The Missouri Democratic Party will hold an election for a new chairman Aug. 24 at 12:30 p.m. at the Truman Hotel in Jefferson City.