Steelville Mayor Duane DeRennaux resigned in the morning hours of July 31 in a signed statement that cited a possible breach of the nepotism clause of Missouri’s state constitution as the reason.

A copy of the resignation included the following, “I Duane DeRennaux submit my resignation as Mayor of city of Steelville, due to error in judgement pertaining to the nepotism clause of the State of Missouri. Effective immediately July 31, 2026.”

Missouri’s state constitution prohibits public officials from appointing close family members to public office or employment. Article VII, section V says that “Any public officer or employee in this state who, by virtue of his office or employment, names or appoints to public office or employment any relative within the fourth degree, by consanguinity or affinity, shall thereby forfeit his office or employment.”

Under the state constitution, public officials are prohibited from appointing their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, siblings, nieces or nephews, grand nieces or nephews, aunts or uncles, great aunts or uncles, first cousins, parents, grandparents, great grandparents and great-great grandparents to public office or employment.

With the mayor’s seat empty, Steelville City Council can nominate a successor to serve as acting mayor until the next applicable election or a special election can be held. The nomination of an acting mayor requires a simple majority of votes from city council members.

When reached for comment, Steelville City Clerk Jamey Griffith said City Hall, on the advice of their attorney, couldn’t provide any information aside from that given in DeRennaux’s resignation statement.

As of the Steelville Star’s publication deadline, DeRennaux couldn’t be reached for comment.