Gov.-elect Greitens to announce transition team next week

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri Gov.-elect Eric Greitens plans to have a team assembled by the end of next week to help with his transition to power, an adviser said Friday.

Voters in Tuesday's election chose the Republican former Navy SEAL to succeed Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon, who was barred by term limits from seeking re-election.

Greitens' senior adviser, Austin Chambers, said the governor-elect met with Nixon and Republican Senate leaders on Thursday. Greitens and his wife, Sheena Greitens, later ate dinner with Nixon and the first lady at the governor's mansion in Jefferson City.

Chambers said Nixon and his administration have been "absolutely wonderful" to work with and are "committed to making sure that this is a peaceful and successful transition of power."

"Eric intends to lean on Gov. Nixon for as much guidance and wisdom as possible," Chambers said.

Since his election, Greitens also has met with budget officials and Republican Lt. Gov-elect Mike Parson and reached out to the state's congressional delegation, Chambers said.

Greitens has never before held nor campaigned for elected office. He criticized career politicians throughout his campaign, but Chambers said he'll work with both experienced government officials and new faces in his administration.

Chambers, who is leading Greitens' transition team, said decisions about other members of the team, new department heads and other members of the his administration have not yet been finalized.

But he said Catherine Hanaway, a Republican gubernatorial candidate who lost to Greitens in a primary, assisted during the campaign and likely will be "extremely helpful" during the transition. Hanaway is a former state House speaker and U.S. attorney.

Greitens will work out of a Jefferson City office during the next two months. Chambers said his family plans to move to the governor's mansion in the capital.

Chambers said Sheena Greitens will continue working as an assistant professor at the University of Missouri in Columbia.