JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Missouri Senate’s top Democrat has stepped down to take an administrative judgeship.
Senate Minority Leader Joe Keaveny resigned Thursday. Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon announced he’s been named a St. Louis workers’ compensation administrative law judge.

Those judges can approve settlements and issue awards after hearings on injured workers’ benefits.

Nixon announced there will be a special election Nov. 8 to replace Keaveny. His term wasn’t set to expire until the end of 2018. Keaveny’s departure means there will be one less Democrat in the Senate for a September session when lawmakers will consider overriding the governor’s vetoes on bills.

In his resignation letter, Keaveny says he appreciates the time he spent as a lawmaker.

He was elected in a special election in 2009 and re-elected in 2010 and 2014.