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Executive Director Klahr departing from Missouri Ethics Commission

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Ethics Commission will soon be in need of a new executive director.

That’s because the current director, James Klahr, announced on Monday that he would be resigning from his role with the MEC in order to pursue a new job.

“This morning I informed our Commission and staff that I will be resigning my position with the Missouri Ethics Commission effective Thursday, July 5,” Klahr said in a statement. “I am leaving to assume the position of deputy director with the Missouri Veterans Commission. I will assume my duties with the Missouri Veterans Commission on Monday, July 9.”

Klahr has served as the executive director for the last four and a half years, having taken over as the director in September of 2013. As director, Klahr was tasked with leading the MEC, who enforces the state’s campaign finance and lobbyist laws. Prior to his time with the MEC, Klahr served as a former staff attorney for the Missouri Senate who worked for then-Attorney General Jay Nixon from 1997 to 2009. When Nixon became governor, Klahr became the legislative liaison for Nixon’s administration in the Department of Public Safety.

“I appreciate the dedication of the MEC staff to the goals of educating candidates and public officials, making campaign finance reports and lobbyist reports easily accessible to the public and enforcing the ethics laws,” he said. “It has been my honor to serve as Director for the past 4 1/2 years. Directors are limited to six-year terms.

Klahr said that the commission will consider the process for selecting a new executive director in the coming weeks.