Missouri Democratic Party picks chairman

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Democrats have selected a former Springfield lawmaker as their new state party chairman.

Craig Hosmer is to begin his duties immediately. He was elected Saturday at a meeting of the Democratic State Committee.

Hosmer, 49, is the current Greene County Democratic chairman and was treasurer of Attorney General Jay Nixon's successful gubernatorial campaign. He is an attorney who served for 12 years in the House before narrowly losing a Springfield state Senate race in 2002.

Hosmer replaces St. Louis lawyer John Temporiti, who said he resigned as chairman to give himself a chance to help Nixon's administration and to give his successor the opportunity to serve for a full election cycle.

Missouri Republicans are expected to select a new chairman when they meet in the new year.