Missouri will have a new chief executive by the end of the week. Governor Eric Greitens has announced he will resign his position effective at 5:00 p.m. Friday evening.
Lt. Governor Mike Parson will be sworn in as the next Governor. Shortly after the announcement by Greitens, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly Gardner announced that she had reached a quote “fair and just resolution” to the pending charges against Greitens.
The following statements have been released from some of the state’s political leadership:
“The last five months have been trying times for our state. Relationships were strained, and bonds were tested. When the governor took office in January of 2017, I had very high hopes. I believed we were on the path to building a better Missouri. This is not the position I imagined we would be in nearly 16 months later. However, I do believe the governor made the right decision.
The governor’s office is bigger than one person. Missouri is strong. Just this session, the Legislature set the framework for greater economic growth. I have full confidence that Lt. Governor Mike Parson and other leaders across the state will continue building a better Missouri, while leading with conservative values. I can assure you, no matter what happens next, Missouri is in good hands.”
Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard, R-Joplin
District 32
“The governor’s announcement marks the conclusion to a drama that has drawn on for far too long. It is regrettable the state of Missouri is in this position, but far more regrettable would have been for this spectacle to continue to drag on.
For all practical purposes, Missouri has been without a governor for the last five months, with the President Pro Tem and the Speaker of the House leading the state in the governor’s absence. Our founding fathers designed a system of government to ensure Missouri is more than one individual, and this will be proven true again in the coming weeks and months.”
Majority Floor Leader Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City
MO GOP Chairman Todd Graves released the following statement:
“Throughout his tenure as a Sheriff, State Representative, and State Senator, Mike has always worked hard for Missourians, and I am certain he will continue to hold a strong commitment to our state as Governor. There is no doubt our Party has faced a difficult couple of months – but make no mistake – Missouri Republicans know there is much at stake this November and we will be united in our efforts to champion common sense conservative values across the board.
The Missouri Republican Party looks forward to working with Mike Parson to defend our veto-proof majorities in the House and Senate. In addition, a united Republican Party will now focus on our number one goal: retiring Claire McCaskill from the United States Senate.”
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