ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Earlier this week, St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page announced that former federal prosecutor Cort VanOstran has been tabbed as the next St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney once Wesley Bell leaves office.
VanOstran most recently was a federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of Missouri and briefly ran for Congress back in 2018, losing to incumbent Ann Wagner by only four points in then-Missouri's second congressional district.
VanOstran spoke to KMOX News Friday about being tabbed as the next St. Louis County Prosecutor.
VanOstran discussed his experience for the role not just as a prosecutor, but also as a private attorney.
"I know what it's like to be the little guy, to face a uphill battle in the case and to keep on fighting," said VanOstran to KMOX News. "That is certainly experience that I will drawn on as well as St. Louis County Prosecutor."
VanOstran says his wide ranging experience, including a prior run for Congressman in 2018, gives him a unique experience.
"You want someone who understands how to listen to the community, how to make the community values are reflected in the offices priorities." said VanOstran.
Despite his selection, VanOstran doesn't have a clear path to securing the position. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is suing St. Louis County, attempting to block VanOstran's nomination.
VanOstran is distancing himself from the upcoming court battle over the legality of his nomination and he says he's focused on the transition not the looming court battle.
"I'm not a lawyer handling that lawsuit," said VanOstran. "My first and most important goal and priority over the next month is to make sure we have a smooth transition."
Court battle aside, VanOstran will need to be approved by a County Council with shrinking support for County Executive Sam Page.
VanOstran is confident in his relationships with the councilmembers.
"I've had conversations with a numbers of members on the council," said VanOstran. "I've made outreach to everyone on the county council. I have strong relationships with people on the county council that go back a number of years."
VanOstran told KMOX News what his focuses would be if he takes the role of Prosecuting Attorney in St. Louis County.
"Violent crime, property crime, vehicle crime, drug crime," said VanOstran. "Public safety is the first and foremost priority for me in this office."
If he take the office of Prosecuting Attorney, VanOstran would be one of the highest profile openly gay prosecutors in the country. He says his sexuality has no impact on his job as a prosecutor but adds this.
"To the extent that me being a gay person gives hope to other gay folks who might see themselves in me, or is a sign that St. Louis County is on a path to progress, it's becoming more and more a place where anybody can succeed, then I'm grateful for that," said VanOstran.