State Rep. Caleb Jones, R-Columbia, will join the Eric Greitens administration as deputy chief of staff, after Greitens becomes governor next week.
"We're excited to have Caleb Jones join our team," Greitens said in a news release issued by the House Communications office. "He's a great conservative leader who will help us to take Missouri in a new direction."
Two weeks ago, Greitens named Michael Roche, an Anheuser-Busch executive from St. Louis, as his chief of staff.
Jones, 36, was not available for comment Tuesday.
But in the news release, he said: "Serving my constituents in the Missouri House has been the greatest honor of my public service, and I am proud of what we have achieved together for my district and our state in the legislature.
"For me, this was about answering Gov.-elect Greitens' call to service and joining an administration that will have a real positive impact on Missouri families (including) Greitens' plans to create more jobs with higher pay, safer streets and better schools for Missouri."
House Speaker Todd Richardson said in the news release: "While we will miss Caleb's leadership as a member of the Missouri House, his deep understanding of policy, strategy and the legislative process will be of great service to the governor-elect and the people of our state."
A lawyer and California native, Jones succeeded his father - former Moniteau County Sheriff Kenny Jones - in the House of Representatives, beginning in January 2011.
He was unopposed for re-election in 2016.
Under term limits, the legislative session beginning today would have marked the start of his last two years in the House.
After the 2010 census, legislative redistricting reshaped his district so it now runs from California to southeastern Columbia, including northern Moniteau and southern Boone counties, as well as sections of Cole and Cooper counties.
A special election will be called to fill Jones' House seat after he resigns from the Legislature and starts working for Greitens.
Sara Walsh, a Republican state committeewoman from Boone County, issued a press release on Wednesday announcing her candidacy for the 50th District House seat to be vacated by Jones.
Until the election, an office in the Capitol dedicated to 50th District constituent services will remain active. Jones, his wife, Lindsey, and their children, Max and Charleston, now live in Boone County, between Ashland and Columbia.