ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - Melissa Price Smith was formally sworn into office as St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney on Friday morning.

Smith takes over Wesley Bell, who just resigned from the post after he was elected to a U.S. Congress seat last November.

The changeover follows a lengthy legal battle between Missouri Governor Mike Parson and St. Louis County Executive Sam Page over who had the authority to appoint the county's next prosecuting attorney to complete Bell's term.

On Dec. 20, a judge ruled that Parson had "sole authority" in appointing Bell's successor. On Thursday, after an attempted appeal from Page, an appeals court also sided with Parson.

On Friday, the Missouri Supreme Court declined to review St. Louis County's application to transfer, ultimately ending a months-long political showdown to appoint the next prosecuting attorney.

Smith brings 20 years of experience as a prosecutor and has worked in the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s office since 2008. She was previously the supervisor of the office’s Sexual Assault and Child Abuse team.

Price shared the following statement with FOX 2 upon being sworn into office:

"It is my great honor to be St. Louis County’s new Prosecuting Attorney. This is an honor that comes with great responsibility to the citizens of this region and a responsibility that I do not take lightly. 

I have devoted my life’s work to fighting for justice and will continue to do so in partnership with law enforcement and the dedicated men and women of the Prosecutor’s Office. My focus will always be holding offenders accountable and protecting victims of crime.

Thank you to Governor Parson for his faith in me and to Congressman Wesley Bell for his leadership the last six years."

St. Louis County Executive Sam Page sent the following statement to FOX 2 on the legal battle to appoint a proseuctor and Smith's appointment:

"This case was about protecting the county charter and ensuring St. Louis County can select its elected officials. It’s important that the prosecuting attorney’s office be successful, and Melissa Price Smith has my full support in working to keep St. Louis County safe. I am confident she will use her experience to build on the work of Wesley Bell."