Springfield lawyer Craig Hosmer was named the new chairman of the Missouri Democratic Party today at a meeting of Democratic leaders in Columbia.

Hosmer, who served as treasurer of Gov.-elect Jay Nixon’s election campaign, replaces attorney John Temporiti of St. Louis.

For the party, the emphasis on Greene County, where Hosmer has been chair of the county party for the past three years, is significant. Nixon was the first statewide Democratic candidate for governor to win the traditional GOP county, and he did so by a fairly large margin.

Hosmer’s elevation to the chairmanship cements the party’s intent to make inroads in Greene County and throws down the gauntlet in the home county of outgoing Republican Gov. Matt Blunt.

Hosmer said the key to the Democratic performance in Greene County was organization.

“We organized the party, registered people and we got out the vote,” he said. “We’re looking at trying to replicate what we did in Greene County in other parts of the state.”

Nixon praised the selection of Hosmer in a prepared statement:

“Whether as a state legislator or as the treasurer of my campaign for Governor, Craig Hosmer has always risen to the occasion when in leadership positions. Last fall, Craig helped deliver an unprecedented victory for our campaign in Greene County. Moving forward, I know he’ll work with Democrats across the state to stretch the electoral map even further and turn more counties blue. Without a doubt, Craig is the right person to lead our party forward at this critical time for our state.”

Hosmer is a partner in the law firm of Hosmer, King and Royce. He and his wife, Joann, have three sons.

As treasurer of Nixon’s election campaign, Hosmer helped oversee a record fund-raising performance. Nixon raised more than $17 million in the race for governor, significantly more than opponent Kenny Hulshof. The total raised by Nixon is more than any candidate for governor in Missouri has ever raised.

Hosmer said a big part of his focus will be trying to make more legislative gains in 2010. He said having a Democratic governor and Democratic president during the election cycle will make a big difference in that regard.

“2010 is going to be a big year for us,” he said.

The Republican Party in Missouri is also going through the process of changing leaders, as chairman Doug Russell has announced his intention to resign. Party leaders have pointed to Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder and Lloyd Smith, an aide to southeast Missouri Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson, as likely choices.