JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — One of Gov.-elect Eric Greitens’ earliest legislative allies will join him on the second floor when he takes office.
Rep. Caleb Jones, R-California, will become Greitens’ deputy chief of staff, ending his six-year tenure as an elected official for southern Boone County.
“Serving my constituents in the Missouri House has been the greatest honor of my public service and I am proud of what we have achieved together for my district and our state in the legislature,” Jones said in a statement. “For me, this was about answering Gov.-elect Greitens’ call to service and joining an administration that will have a real positive impact on Missouri families.
“I am looking forward to advancing Gov.-elect Greitens’ plans to create more jobs with higher pay, safer streets and better schools for Missouri.”
Jones’ transition to the executive branch means Greitens will have another vacancy to fill with Lt. Gov.-elect Mike Parson vacating his state Senate seat. Greitens said he would announce a special election shortly to fill those vacancies. He also welcomed Jones to his team.
“We’re excited to have Caleb Jones join our team,” Greitens said. “He’s a great conservative leader who will help us to take Missouri in a new direction.”
House Speaker Todd Richardson added that Greitens had added a good public servant to serve within the governor’s leadership team.
“While we will miss Caleb’s leadership as a member of the Missouri House, his deep understanding of policy, strategy and the legislative process will be of great service to the governor-elect and the people of our state,” Richardson said.
Greitens named Michael Roche, an Anheuser-Busch executive, his chief of staff Dec. 20.
