Gov. Matt Blunt on Friday named a former Texas County state legislator and former county prosecutor to become the associate circuit judge.
Doug Gaston, who received the appointment, and Houston attorney Brad Eidson sought the nod from Blunt to fill a two-year term vacated by Associate Circuit Judge Brad Ellsworth, who is retiring Dec. 31.
Gaston was elected in 1996 as state representative and served one term. He later became county prosecutor and served four years before being defeated by the current county prosecutor Mike Anderson.
“I appreciate Doug Gaston’s commitment to public service and to our state,” Blunt said. “I know he will continue to serve the people of Missouri well as he takes on his new responsibilities as judge.”
“It is a great honor to be appointed by Gov. Matt Blunt to serve as a judge,” Gaston said. “Gov. Blunt has provided wise stewardship and tremendous leadership for Missouri, and I believe he will be remembered as one of our state’s very best governors. I appreciate his confidence in me to serve the people of the Twenty-Fifth Judicial Circuit.”
Gaston, 41 of Jefferson City, is the deputy treasurer for Missouri. His boss is State Treasurer Sarah Steelman, who did not seek re-election as she sought the GOP nomination for governor.
Gaston holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Southwest Baptist University and juris doctorate from the University of Arkansas. He is a 1986 graduate of Houston High School.