Smith’s Qualifications Debated
Governor Matt Blunt’s nominees for various State department directors were passed out of the Senate Gubernatorial Appointments committee this morning, and will now go to the floor of the State Senate for debate.
Among these candidates is Katie Smith, Blunt’s controversial nominee for Director of Agriculture. Democrats have recently criticized Smith’s credentials, noting that she is not only young (she is 29 years-old), but also that she has worked primarily as an aide to lawmakers in Washington, not within Missouri itself.
State Senator Maida Coleman told PubDef this afternoon that Senate Democrats plan “debate as to [Smith's] qualifications” for the Senate floor. Coleman explained that Senate Democrats feel that “there are very high expectations for the next director based on the shameful behavior of the former director,” and thus are approaching the nomination with caution.
Sen. Coleman did, however, express her hope that should Smith be confirmed in the position, she perform well. “As a veteran of the Senate and a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I will do my best to assist her in her job,” said Coleman.
About This Author: Antonio D. French is a writer, political consultant, and newly-elected Democratic Committeeman living in north St. Louis, Missouri. If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Sounds like senator Coleman needs to move on. She knocks everything. I guess she knows her caree is over.