Nixon puts Democrats to work assembling administration

JEFFERSON CITY — Gov.-elect Jay Nixon is getting help assembling his administration from several Democratic lawmakers who lost bids for higher office.

Nixon said Thursday that state House member Judy Baker, who ran unsuccessfully for Congress, will lead his personnel search for the departments of Social Services, Health and Senior Services, and Elementary and Secondary Education.

House members Margaret Donnelly and Jeff Harris, who finished second and third in the Democratic attorney general primary, also will have a role. They will head the personnel search for the Department of Natural Resources and conduct a review focused on making state agencies efficient and effective.

Nixon named Susan McCollum as head of his transition team's recruitment efforts. She runs a marketing and communications company in St. Louis.