Gov. Mike Parson’s replacement for far-left former St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner just happens to be an avid supporter of U.S. Rep. Cori Bush – one of the leading voices in Congress for defunding the police.

The Republican Parson on Friday appointed Gabe Gore, a former assistant U.S. attorney, to replace Gardner after she abruptly resigned in disgrace Tuesday. Her office was plagued by fumbled and declined prosecutions, departing prosecutors and even criminal contempt proceedings for failure to show up for trial.

The Heartlander has learned that Gore, a partner in the law firm Dowd Bennett in St. Louis, is a repeat donor to Bush, one of the last unrepentant defenders of the dying defund-the-police movement.

Indeed, Federal Election Commission records show Gore contributed at least three times to Bush’s election campaign – twice in 2020 and once again in 2021, for a total of $600.

The Heartlander reached out to Gore via email and phone Friday to ask him how he can square his support for Bush with his new job as St. Louis circuit attorney – a position that seems to cry out for a zealous law enforcement approach after Gardner’s bizarre reluctance to prosecute even the most serious crimes.

Her office had been under fire previously, but public concern exploded in February after a suspect on bond from a 2020 robbery – who had violated the conditions of his bond dozens of times – drove a car into a teen volleyball player in town for a tournament, causing her to lose both legs.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey subsequently filed a petition asking a judge to oust Gardner, but dismissed the case after her earlier-than-promised resignation on Tuesday.

Records show Gore, her replacement, has made campaign contributions to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ($1,000); Biden Victory Fund and Biden for President funds ($2,800 each); Democrat Claire McCaskill six times since 2012 (for a total of $3,500); Missouri Democratic State Committee ($1,500); and Hillary for America ($2,700).