Wikipedia

Chris Koster

For the musician, see Chris Koster (musician).

Christopher Andrew Koster (born August 31, 1964)[1] is an American lawyer and politician who served as the 41st Attorney General of Missouri from 2009 to 2017. Before that, Koster was elected three times as prosecuting attorney of Cass County, Missouri, and served four years as state senator from Missouri's 31st Senatorial district.

Chris Koster
41st Attorney General of Missouri
In office
January 12, 2009 – January 9, 2017
GovernorJay Nixon
Preceded byJay Nixon
Succeeded byJosh Hawley
Member of the Missouri Senate
from the 31st district
In office
January 5, 2005 – January 7, 2009
Preceded byHarold Caskey
Succeeded byDavid Pearce
Personal details
Born
Christopher Andrew Koster

(1964-08-31) August 31, 1964 (age 60)
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Political partyRepublican (before 2007)
Democratic (2007–present)
Spouses
Rebecca Bowman
​
​
(m. 1996; div. 2003)​
Jennifer Cullen
​
(m. 2019)​
EducationUniversity of Missouri (BA, JD)
Washington University in St. Louis (MBA)

In 2016, Koster was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Missouri and was defeated by Republican nominee Eric Greitens in the general election.[2] After completing his terms as attorney general, Koster joined Centene Corporation, where he currently serves as Executive Vice President, Secretary, and General Counsel.[3][4]

Personal life

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Early life and education

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Koster was born in St. Louis, Missouri.[5] Koster earned a liberal arts bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri - Columbia in 1987 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri - Columbia School of Law in 1991.[5][6][7] Koster also earned a master's degree in Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis in 2002.[5]

Early career

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From 1991 to 1993, Koster served as an Assistant Attorney General for the Office of the Missouri Attorney General. From 1993 to 1994, he practiced law with the firm of Blackwell Sanders in Kansas City, Missouri.[5][7]

Political career

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Cass County, Missouri Prosecuting Attorney

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In 1994, Koster was elected Prosecuting Attorney for Cass County, Missouri, as a Republican[7] and was re-elected in 1998 and 2002 by wide margins.[6]

Koster supervised the Missouri investigation and prosecution of serial killer John Edward Robinson. On June 4, 2000, Koster led a group of law enforcement officers in the discovery of the remains of three female victims of Robinson's, each stored in 55-gallon drums inside a Raymore, Missouri storage facility. In conjunction with prosecutors in Kansas, John Robinson was convicted of the murders of eight women in two states, although more victims are believed to have been killed by Robinson. Robinson lured his victims over the internet, and has been called the internet's first serial killer.[8][9][10]

Missouri Senate

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Koster was elected to the Missouri Senate in 2004 as a Republican.[5] He represented Missouri's 31st Senatorial District, which consists of Cass, Johnson, Bates and Vernon counties.[11] During his time in the Missouri Senate, Koster played key roles in the debates over stem cell research, tort reform, and the elimination of Medicaid fraud.[5][12][13] In 2006, he carried legislation in the Senate that overhauled Missouri's eminent domain laws.[14][15]

On August 1, 2007, Koster made Missouri political history when he announced that he was leaving the Missouri Republican Party to join the Democratic party. Citing his frustration with the Republican Party's increasing intolerance on issues like stem cell research, workers' rights, cultural inclusion, and the non-partisan court plan, Koster said that the Missouri Republican Party had become too beholden to the extreme right-wing of the party.[16][17][18] He said, "Today, Republican moderates are all but extinct."[19]

Before his change of parties, Koster was chairman of the Republican Caucus, the majority party's fourth-ranking position in the Missouri State Senate.[20]

While in the Senate, he served on the following Senate committees:[11][21][22]

  • Economic Development, Tourism, and Local Government
  • Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence
  • Pensions, Veterans' Affairs and General Laws
  • Commerce, Energy and the Environment
  • Agriculture, Conservation, Parks and Natural Resources

Attorney General

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2008 election

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Attorney General Chris Koster speaks in 2011

In 2008, Koster defeated State Representative Margaret Donnelly and Jeff Harris in the Democratic primary for the nomination for Missouri Attorney General. Despite joining the Missouri Democratic party only a year earlier, and primary rivals calling him an opportunist for switching parties, Koster received several Democratic-leaning endorsements from law enforcement, labor unions, Democratic interest groups and elected officials.[23][24][5] Koster won the nomination despite accusations from Donnelly and Harris that his campaign violated state law in raising money from multiple committees.

During the campaign, Koster's ex-wife Rebecca Bowman Nassikas donated $200,000 to Missourians for Honest Leadership, a political committee, which paid $187,500 to purchase air time and produce television ads in an effort to oppose Koster's candidacy for Missouri Attorney General.[25][26] He went on to defeat Republican state senator Mike Gibbons in the general election, 52.83% to 47.17%.[27] He was sworn in as attorney general on January 12, 2009, succeeding Jay Nixon.[28][29]

 
Chris Koster and Jay Nixon, 2011

First term, 2009–2013

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In 2011, Koster filed an amicus brief opposing the individual mandate in the Affordable Care Act under the Commerce Clause. He filed a second amicus brief suggesting that the individual mandate could be upheld under Congress' ability to lay and collect taxes, which is how the Supreme Court ruled on the matter in 2012.[30][31][32][33]

In 2012, Koster's staff moved to the Broadway Building in Jefferson City. After this move, a request was made for "repairs, replacements and improvements" on two floors. However, Koster's office was in the Supreme Court Building. Funding for the $3.2 million request came from money recovered from consumer fraud cases.[34] Also in 2012, a report by state auditor Tom Schweich criticized Koster for his practice of awarding contingency fee contracts to law firms that had donated to his campaign.[35]

Second term, 2013–2017

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Koster is an advocate of the death penalty. In July 2013, there were 21 inmates on death row in Missouri whose executions he was pressing the Supreme Court of Missouri to set a date for before the drugs used for lethal injections expired. After the 21 inmates filed suit against the Missouri Department of Corrections over the use of the drug propofol for lethal injections, concerning cruel and unusual punishment, the state Supreme Court temporarily halted the further use of the death penalty until the case was decided.[36] Missouri law allows for the use of lethal gas where lethal injection is not available.[37] While the propofol case was before the Missouri Supreme Court, Koster argued for the use of gas chambers to execute Missouri prisoners.[38][39][40]

During his second term, Koster's office defended U.S. District Judge Catherine D. Perry after she denied a motion for temporary restraining orders on six police officers enforcing a "5-second rule" that required demonstrators to move every five seconds or face arrest in Ferguson, Missouri, citing the need for law enforcement's protection of property and the availability of a designated protest area.[41] However, at the time of this ruling, the designated protest area was off-limits to the public.[42][43] This "5-second rule" was later determined to be unconstitutional by a different federal judge.[44]

In February 2014, Koster filed a suit on behalf of six states challenging California's prohibition on the sale of eggs laid by caged hens kept in conditions more restrictive than those approved by California voters in a 2008 ballot initiative, Proposition 2. In October 2014, Judge Kimberly Mueller dismissed the suit, ruling that the states lacked legal standing to sue on behalf of their residents and that Koster and other plaintiffs were representing only the interests of egg farmers, rather than "a substantial statement of their populations".[45][46][47]

Also in October 2014, House Speaker Tim Jones announced plans to investigate charges that Koster took actions in office that were designed to benefit campaign contributors. Some of the actions investigated included: the Simmons Firm donating $100,000 to Koster's campaign in 2012 and both parties suing Republic Services in 2013; Koster ending an inquiry focusing on 5-hour Energy after conversations with a lobbyist for the company who was also a Koster contributor; Koster had negotiating an agreement with Pfizer, another campaign contributor, to pay Missouri $750,000 in connection with a multi-state investigation of illegal marketing practices, about $350,000 less than what the state would have collected had it participated in a joint negotiation with other states.[35][48][49][50]

In Missouri, it is legal for elected officials to accept unlimited campaign contributions and gifts from lobbyists. Despite his position on lobbying reform, Koster rejects the idea of placing limits on the amount of money a corporation or a rich person could contribute to a campaign. He instead suggests adding more transparency to the existing system. In December 2014, Koster said that he would no longer accept gifts from lobbyists.[51][52]

During his second term as attorney general, Koster said that he supports same-sex marriage, but defended his state's former constitutional ban on it because voters approved it.[53]

2016 gubernatorial election

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Main article: 2016 Missouri gubernatorial election

In February 2016, Koster filed to run for governor of Missouri.[54][55] He won the August 2 Democratic primary, but lost the general election to Republican Eric Greitens.[56][57]

2017–present

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In February 2017, Koster was named Senior Vice President of Corporate Services at Centene Corp.[3] In February 2020, Koster took the position of EVP, Secretary and General Counsel at Centene.[4]

Electoral history

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2016 Gubernatorial race

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2016 Missouri gubernatorial election   ([1])
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Chris Koster 1,261,110 45.4
Republican Eric Greitens 1,424,730 51.3
Libertarian Dave Browning 92,819 3.48

As Attorney General

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2012 Race for Attorney General of Missouri   (2012 MO SoS Election Report)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Chris Koster (incumbent) 1,491,139 55.81 2.96
Republican Ed Martin 1,084,106 40.63 −6.52
Libertarian Dave Browning 92,819 3.48
2008 Race for Attorney General of Missouri
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Chris Koster 1,471,647 52.83
Republican Mike Gibbons 1,312,719 47.17
2008 Democratic primary for Attorney General of Missouri
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Democratic Chris Koster 118,934 34.3
Democratic Margaret Donnelly 118,105 34.1
Democratic Jeff Harris 86,550 25.0
Democratic Molly Williams 23,140 6.7

As state senator

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2004 Race for Missouri State Senate 31st District
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Chris Koster 50,328 62.9
Democratic Larry Snider 28,565 35.7
Libertarian Len Ludlam 1,086 1.4

References

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  1. ^ Summer Ballentine. "Once a Republican, Koster seeks governorship as a Democrat". Springfield News-Leader.
  2. ^ "Eric Greitens wins Missouri GOP Primary, to face Chris Koster in fall". Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Centene hires former Attorney General Chris Koster". Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Centene announces two key personnel moves". St. Louis Business Journal. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g SUMMER BALLENTINE. "Once a Republican, Koster seeks governorship as a Democrat". Springfield News-Leader. Associated Press. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  6. ^ a b "Chris Koster". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
  7. ^ a b c "Biography - Senator Chris Koster". www.senate.mo.gov. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
  8. ^ "Internet 'Slavemaster' Faces Death Penalty in 5 Slayings". Los Angeles Times. 2000-06-14. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  9. ^ "Serial Killer J. R. Robinson's Sinister Alter Ego". Vanity Fair. 2013-09-04. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  10. ^ "8 Jun 2000, 1 - The Star-Herald at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  11. ^ a b "Senate Member Information - Chris Koster, R-31". www.senate.mo.gov. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  12. ^ "Lawyers: Two for a Dollar". Kansas City Business Journal. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  13. ^ Amick, John. "Medicaid future in Missouri uncertain". Columbia Missourian. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  14. ^ Young, Virginia. "Koster sends a signal". STLtoday.com. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  15. ^ "Blunt signs eminent domain bill into law". St. Louis Business Journal. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  16. ^ Andrea Chalfin, KBIA, Koster Switches Parties Archived 2007-09-26 at the Wayback Machine, publicbroadcasting.net, August 1, 2007; accessed April 3, 2015.
  17. ^ "2 Aug 2007, Page B005 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  18. ^ "6 Aug 2007, Page C001 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  19. ^ Kelly Wiese for AP, "Likely Missouri attorney general candidate switches to Democratic Party" Archived 2012-02-18 at the Wayback Machine, medialab.semissourian.com, Southeast Missourian, August 2, 2007.
  20. ^ Stephanie Simon,When moderates feel lost in the GOP September 3, 2007
  21. ^ "Senator Chris Koster, R-31". www.senate.mo.gov. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  22. ^ "Senator Chris Koster, R-31". www.senate.mo.gov. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  23. ^ "20 Jul 2008, Page C002 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  24. ^ "21 Aug 2008, Page B003 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  25. ^ Messenger, Tony Bizzarro World e-mail of the day: Koster's ex-wife is BACK! St. Louis Post-Dispatch. September 22, 2016
  26. ^ Wagar, Kit Bad breakup: Ex-wife drops $200,000 to blast Mo. AG candidate McCarthyDC. September 22, 2016
  27. ^ Unofficial Election Returns Missouri Secretary of State
  28. ^ Mannies, Jo. "Koster sworn in first before several thousand -- crowd smaller than '05". STLtoday.com. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  29. ^ "13 Jan 2009, Page 5 - The Springfield News-Leader at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  30. ^ Wagman, Jake. "Koster, succinctly, offers support for ruling against health care mandate". STLtoday.com. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  31. ^ "Koster files brief challenging health care reform coverage mandate". Kansas City Business Journal. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  32. ^ Liptak, Adam (2012-06-28). "Supreme Court Upholds Health Care Law, 5-4, in Victory for Obama". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  33. ^ "Brief" (PDF).
  34. ^ Barr, Diana (23 February 2012). "Much ado about Koster's $3 million office remodel". St. Louis Business Journal. Archived from the original on 2016-09-15. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
  35. ^ a b Koster lawsuit against California ban on caged hens' eggs, stltoday.com; accessed April 3, 2015.
  36. ^ Geetika Rudra (July 10, 2013). "Missouri Death Row Legal Battle Could Bring Back Gas Chamber". ABC News.
  37. ^ Matt Berman (July 11, 2013). "Death by Gas Chamber Is Still a Thing in the U.S." nationaljournal.com. Archived from the original on July 17, 2013.
  38. ^ "MO. AG SAYS STATE MAY HAVE TO USE GAS CHAMBER". Associated press. Jim Salter. July 3, 2013. Archived from the original on 2015-04-11.
  39. ^ Eli Yokley; The Joplin Globe (July 13, 2013). "Attorney General Koster suggests return of gas chamber". joplinglobe.com.
  40. ^ "Mo. Governor Shows No Support for Gas Chamber Idea". ABC News. The Associated Press. July 10, 2013. Archived from the original on July 15, 2013. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
  41. ^ "Motion for temporary restraining orders on six police officers enforcing a 5-second rule denied", stltoday.com; accessed April 3, 2015.
  42. ^ Judge Catherine D. Perry ruling discussed, aclu.org; accessed April 3, 2015.
  43. ^ "Rights Of Protesters, Media Misunderstood In Ferguson". NPR. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  44. ^ Wesley Lowery (October 6, 2014). "Federal judges tosses '5 second rule' being used to police Ferguson protests". The Washington Post.
  45. ^ Judge Kimberly Mueller tosses suit by 6 states re sale of eggs of caged hens, sfgate.com; accessed April 3, 2015.
  46. ^ Judge Kimberly Mueller tosses suit by 6 states re sale of eggs of caged hens, politico.com; accessed April 3, 2015.
  47. ^ Judge Kimberly Mueller tosses suit by 6 states re sale of eggs of caged hens Archived 2014-10-06 at the Wayback Machine, sacbee.com; accessed April 3, 2015.
  48. ^ "Lobbyists bearing gifts pursue state attorneys general, nytimes.com; accessed April 3, 2015.
  49. ^ Missouri Attorney General faces scrutiny, nytimes.com, October 30, 2014; accessed April 3, 2015.
  50. ^ Editorial on Koster, kansascity.com; accessed April 3, 2015.
  51. ^ Yokley, Eli (8 December 2014). "Attorney General of Missouri Denies Doing Favors for Lobbyists". Retrieved 6 March 2019 – via NYTimes.com.
  52. ^ McDermott, Kevin. "Koster personally defends same-sex marriage rights, while opposing them in court". STLtoday.com. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  53. ^ Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster Talks SEC, Death Penalty, and Gay Marriage, youtube.com; accessed April 3, 2015.
  54. ^ "Chris Koster Files to Run for Governor". KQTV. February 23, 2016. Archived from the original on April 14, 2016. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  55. ^ "Chris Koster for Governor". Facebook. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  56. ^ "Missouri Governor Results: Eric Greitens Wins". The New York Times. 2017-08-01. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  57. ^ "Eric Greitens wins Republican Nomination".

Sources

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  • Official Manual, State of Missouri, 2005-2006. Jefferson City, MO: Secretary of State.
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Legal offices
Preceded by Attorney General of Missouri
2009–2017 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic nominee for Missouri Attorney General
2008, 2012 		Succeeded by
Teresa Hensley
Democratic nominee for Governor of Missouri
2016 		Succeeded by
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