Catherine Hanaway

Catherine Lucille Hanaway is a Republican serving as Missouri's Attorney General since September 8, 2025. She is the first woman to hold this position and previously served as the first female Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives. She does not represent a specific district as Attorney General, a statewide office.

Catherine Hanaway was born on November 8, 1963, in rural Nebraska. She began her political career in the early 1990s as a grassroots organizer and volunteer on Republican campaigns, including managing operations for U.S. Senator Kit Bond. Elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 1998, she rose to Minority Leader in 2000 and Speaker from 2003 to 2005. Notable achievements include passing Missouri's first concealed carry law by overriding a veto, foster care reform, pro-life legislation, and rejecting tax increases. After leaving the legislature, she served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri , prosecuting over 4,000 cases focused on methamphetamine, child exploitation, and corruption. She later became a partner at Husch Blackwell, chairing the firm from 2021 to 2024. Appointed by Governor Mike Kehoe in August 2025 following Andrew Bailey's resignation, she was sworn in as Missouri's 45th Attorney General, serving through 2028. She has been involved in civic roles like chair of the Regional Business Council.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Graduated from the University of Missouri and The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law.
• Political Experience:
  • Missouri House of Representatives : Minority Leader , Speaker .
  • U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of Missouri .
  • Unsuccessful runs for Secretary of State and Governor .
  • Missouri Attorney General .