JEFFERSON CITY — Candidates in Missouri’s race for U.S. Senate called on Eric Greitens to drop out of the race on Monday after allegations by his ex-wife that he was abusive became public.
In a sworn affidavit in an ongoing child custody case, Sheena Greitens accused the former Missouri governor of being physically abusive to her and their two children, and demonstrating “unstable and coercive behavior.â€
The explosive allegations immediately shook the hotly contested race for U.S. Senate, in which polls have shown Eric Greitens leading a field of more than a dozen candidates seeking the GOP nomination.
“I’m extremely troubled by the new allegations of abuse by Eric Greitens from his ex-wife,†U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Harrisonville, one of the leading contenders for the nomination, told the Post-Dispatch in a statement.
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“This is a pattern of criminal behavior that makes Eric unfit to hold any public office,†Hartzler said. “He should drop out of the U.S. Senate race immediately and seek immediate professional help.â€
Another GOP candidate, Senate President Dave Schatz, said he’s been consistent in arguing that Greitens is “unfit to serve in public office.â€
“In light of today’s evidence showing a long pattern of abuse against his wife and children, he should end his campaign immediately,†Schatz said Monday.
Attorney General Eric Schmitt also said Greitens should pull the plug on his campaign.
“These allegations of abuse are disgusting and sickening. 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.
U.S. Rep. Billy Long, R-Springfield, said Monday that after reading the affidavit, he believed Greitens should step aside.
“He is clearly unfit to represent the state of Missouri in the United States Senate,†Long said. “There’s no way he can stay in this race.â€
Another GOP candidate, St. Louis attorney Mark McCloskey, said he had long ago concluded that Greitens was unfit for office, based on the events surrounding his resignation as governor.
“The best that Eric Greitens could do for the people of Missouri is to drop out of the race,†McCloskey said.
Others who joined in condemning the former governor were Democrats Scott Sifton, who called Greitens “unfit for office,†and Lucas Kunce, who said “Eric Greitens should be in prison.â€
U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, who has endorsed Hartzler in the Aug. 2 GOP primary, on Monday afternoon joined the calls for Greitens to end his campaign.
“If you hit a woman or a child, you belong in handcuffs, not the United States Senate,†Hawley said via Twitter. “It’s time for Eric Greitens to leave this race.â€
Despite the issues surrounding his resignation as governor, Greitens has been a strong candidate in a crowded field, with recent polling by Remington Research Group showing he was leading the Republican primary field, with Schmitt and Hartzler close behind.
Some Republicans have expressed concern that if Greitens ended up the nominee, the party could lose U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt’s seat to the Democrats, given Greitens’ scandals surrounding his extramarital affair and alleged campaign finance violations.