Candidates call on Greitens to drop out of U.S. Senate race after new allegations emerge
All of former Gov. Eric Greitens major opponents in the Missouri U.S. Senate race called on him to drop out Monday after allegations that he abused his ex-wife and toddler were filed in court.
Sheena Greitens, who filed for divorce after a sex-scandal that led to his resignation as governor in 2018, alleged Greitens was physically abusive and that he demonstrated “unstable and coercive behavior” in a sworn affidavit submitted as part of an ongoing custody dispute. The document was first reported by The Associated Press.
Greitens’ lawyers have filed a motion to seal the documents.
Republicans have expressed concern that Greitens, who is seen as the front-runner in the crowded Republican primary to replace U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, would not be able to win a general election campaign given his history of sexual abuse.
The new allegations gave more weight to those concerns. Missouri Rep. Vicky Hartzler, one of Greitens opponents, said the allegations mean he should drop out of the race.
“I’m extremely troubled by the new allegations of abuse by Eric Greitens from his ex-wife,” Hartzler said. “This is a pattern of criminal behavior that makes Eric unfit to hold any public office. He should drop out of the U.S. Senate race immediately and seek immediate professional help.”
Attorney General Eric Schmitt called the allegations “disgusting and sickening” and said he knows a predator when he sees one.
“The behavior described in this affidavit is cause for Eric Greitens to be in prison, not on the ballot for U.S. Senate,” Schmitt said. He should end his campaign immediately.”
Mark McCloskey, a St. Louis attorney in the race, said if the allegations are true then Greitens is unfit for office.
“I don’t think he’s fit to be a candidate,” McCloskey said. “I think he should immediately withdraw.”
Lucas Kunce, the leading Democrat in the race, also called on Greitens to quit the race, saying “Eric Greitens should be in prison.” Dave Shatz, the Missouri Senate President and a Republican candidate in the race, said he, too, believed Greitens should drop out.
After originally saying he wouldn’t tell Greitens what to do, Rep. Billy Long changed course after he said he read the affidavit. He joined the other candidates calling for Greitens to get out of the race.
“Like most of America, I’m shocked and appalled by what was in Sheena Greitens’ sworn affidavit about Eric Greitens,” Long said. “He is clearly unfit to represent the state of Missouri in the U.S. Senate. There’s no way he can stay in the race.”
Greitens campaign responded to the allegations by criticizing his ex-wife and accusing her of lying. Dylan Johnson, his campaign manager, called the charges a “politically motivated attack” and “gross and completely false.”
“Eric will fight for his children and defend himself from these outright lies,” Johnson said. “His children deserve a father who will speak the truth and stand up against malicious attacks that are clearly politically motivated.”
In 2018, allegations surfaced that Greitens had taken a compromising photo of his hairdresser during an extra-marital affair. An investigation by the Republican controlled legislature also revealed allegations of sexually violent behavior, including that Greitens tied his mistress to a pull-up bar in his basement and later forced her to perform oral sex on him.
Greitens denied those allegations but ultimately resigned as it appeared the legislature was willing to impeach him.
In his final days as governor, Greitens allegedly purchased a gun and refused to tell his wife where he put it. He threatened to kill himself unless she provided him with public support, according to the affidavit. He also allegedly “cuffed” his three-year old son across the face and dragged him by his hair, the affidavit said.
Hartzler has been quick to criticize Greitens, who is seen as the front-runner in the crowded Republican primary to replace U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt. Her first ad included a reference to his affair with the hairdresser and she has said she would not support him in the general election if he were the Republican nominee.
Long said he would support the Republican nominee even if it’s Greitens, but McCloskey joined Hartzler in saying he wouldn’t support Greitens.
“I’ve never voted for a Democrat,” McCloskey said. “But sometimes there are things worse than being a Democrat.”
This is a breaking story and will updated
This story was originally published March 21, 2022 at 1:02 PM.