Ed Wildberger’s fascination with state and local history will be well-suited in his new environment.

Gov. Jay Nixon appointed the former state representative Buchanan County’s recorder of deeds Monday. The Democrat, facing term limits, vacated his 27th District legislative position early to take the county office after the former recorder of deeds, Karen Higginbotham, retired Friday.

Early last month, the Buchanan County Democratic Committee chose Mr. Wildberger to fill the seat. Mr. Nixon made the call Monday informing Mr. Wildberger that he’d approved the committee’s selection. Pat Conway, Buchanan County clerk, is running to fill Mr. Wildberger’s state legislative position next year.

Mr. Wildberger said Monday, as he waited to take the oath of office at the Buchanan County Courthouse, that he would run for the office next year, and that he wouldn’t have accepted the appointment if he didn’t plan on making a career out of the position.

“The important thing right now is to get in here and learn the job and show people we’ll continue to have the same friendly environment toward the people that Karen has established,” he said.

Ms. Higginbotham was appointed to the position in 2002 by Gov. Bob Holden and was re-elected later that year, and again in 2006. Mr. Wildberger said the efficiencies established by Ms. Higginbotham will make his transition easier.

The recorder of deeds office holds county records dating back to 1839. Mr. Wildberger, a former St. Joseph Fire Department battalion chief, said he’d “snoop around” and look at some of the county history if he has a chance.

“I’ve always been interested in the history of St. Joseph and Buchanan County anyway,” he said. “Being the records keeper is going to be kind of neat.”

The challenges he faces with the county will be the same faced at the state level, he said — budgets. He said would work to keep the office within the budget and help other county officers to keep budgets manageable.

And though he enjoyed the excitement of Jefferson City where he was a lawmaker, Mr. Wildberger is looking forward to a “hopefully” slower pace at the county office where he’ll uphold the law.

Jimmy Myers can be reached at jimmym@npgco.com.