Process uncertain for picking replacement lt. gov.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri officials do not agree on what procedure to use if it's necessary to fill a midterm vacancy for lieutenant governor.

Republican Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder and other statewide officeholders start new terms Monday. Kinder also is among the candidates seeking the Republican nomination to replace U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson, who is resigning from Congress.

Should Kinder win the congressional seat, it would create a vacancy in a statewide office along with uncertainty about how to deal with it.

Democratic Governor Jay Nixon says he has authority to appoint a replacement. Republicans disagree.

A House committee has scheduled a hearing Tuesday on legislation that would let the governor name an acting official to lead statewide offices until an election. The acting officeholder could not run immediately for the post.