On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, Leader Publications reported that Circuit Judge Ed Page, who was seeking his first full-term in office, retired. Judge Page’s resignation, effective April 30, was confirmed by Circuit Court Judge Vic Melenbrink on May 1. Melenbrink stated that Page indicated he wanted to dedicate more time to his family.
Page was appointed as circuit judge by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson in March 2022. This appointment filled the vacancy created when Darrell Missey became the state’s director of the Children’s Division in the Missouri Department of Social Services. Before his role as circuit judge, Page served as the Division 11 associate circuit judge starting in 2018.
The resignation creates a vacancy in the Division 2 Circuit Court, which will be filled by a new appointment from the governor’s office, now led by Gov. Mike Kehoe. Page’s name remains on the ballot for the upcoming August 4 primary election, where he is running unopposed. According to the Secretary of State’s Office, while write-in candidates are not permitted in the primary, they can file for the November 3 election until 5 p.m. on October 23.
Melenbrink mentioned that his conversation with Page was brief and focused on confirming the timing of his retirement, without discussing the ballot situation.
Judge Page is a 1983 graduate of Festus High School and holds a law degree from St. Louis University. Before becoming an associate circuit judge, he was in private practice and also served as the municipal judge of Crystal City for 13 years.
Source: Leader Publications
