Local lawmakers welcome Greitens' resignation, call it a sad day for Missouri

Area Republican lawmakers welcomed Gov. Eric Greitens� decision Tuesday to resign, but said it was a sad day for everyone.

Greitens announced at a late afternoon news conference in Jefferson City he would resign, effective Friday.

The governor resigned amid criminal and legislative investigations stemming from an extramarital affair and campaign finance questions. He has denied any criminal wrongdoing.

Donna Lichtenegger

State Reps. Donna Lichtenegger of Jackson and Kathy Swan of Cape Girardeau had called for the Republican governor to resign in February after allegations of unethical behavior on his part were disclosed.

Lichtenegger said Tuesday, �I just pray he finds some relief for himself and his family.�

She called it �a sad day in the State of Missouri.�

Lawmakers, she said, are not �gleeful� Greitens resigned.

But she took issue with some of the governor�s remarks Tuesday.

�I did think it was sad he is still blaming others,� Lichtenegger said.

She said the resignation puts an end to any effort in the House to impeach Greitens.

Kathy Swan

Swan said she told Greitens earlier this year �it would be the best thing for his family and the State of Missouri� if he resigned.

Even with the governor�s announcement he will step down, Swan said she believes the House committee investigating Greitens� actions should complete its work and issue a public report.

Swan said the committee�s investigation �does not hinge on criminal proceedings.�

The Cape Girardeau lawmaker said the work of the House committee would seem �incomplete� without a final report.

�What is it that we should know, that we don�t know?� she asked.

Holly Rehder

In an emailed statement, Scott County state Rep. Holly Rehder called for the House committee to continue to investigate the source of payments paid to St. Louis lawyer Al Watkins, who represented the ex-husband of the woman who had an affair with Greitens.

�Even more so with this resignation,� she said, �I feel it�s imperative that the investigative committee move full speed ahead to uncover the true source of the over $100,000 in cash that was given to attorney Al Watkins. As Missourians, we should demand to know who is trying to mess with our government through what appears to be bribes and dirty money.�

Rick Francis

State Rep. Rick Francis of Perryville and state Sen. Wayne Wallingford of Cape Girardeau expressed surprise at Greitens� resignation.

Francis said, �I was thinking he would fight this to the bitter end one way or another.�

But he added, �When you stop and think what is best for Missouri, I understand why he would resign.�

Francis said Greitens� decision to step down came as the House was scheduled to meet Thursday to begin the process that could have led to issuing articles of impeachment.

The Perryville lawmaker said that from the beginning of the controversy �I just wanted to know the facts.�

Francis said he wants to see Missouri �move forward.�

Lt. Gov. Mike Parson will take over as governor and Francis said he has �all the confidence in the world� Parson will do well in that role.

Parson will be �a stabilizing force� to bring lawmakers together.

Wayne Wallingford

Like Francis, Wallingford said of Greitens� resignation, �I certainly didn�t see it coming.�

Wallingford said Greitens repeatedly proclaimed his desire to fight the allegations of wrongdoing.

�I appreciate his desire to fight for his innocence,� Wallingford said.

The state senator said the allegations have taken �a heavy toll� on Greitens and his family.

�I think he felt he did the right thing, the honorable thing (in resigning),� Wallingford said.

The Cape Girardeau lawmaker said Parson has �good rapport� with legislators in both political parties and will do a good job as Missouri�s new governor.

mbliss@semissourian.com

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