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Statement from MOGOP Chairman Todd Graves on Efforts to Derail Governor Greitens’ Agenda

Governor Greitens is a conservative outsider who was elected to serve the people of Missouri, not career politicians. I’m deeply disturbed by the resolution put forward by a few Missouri state senators calling for an “investigative committee” to look into the Governor and private individuals and groups who support him. This is nothing more than a political stunt that the senators lack the legal authority — or basis for that matter — to conduct.

For 12 years I served first as an elected county prosecutor and then as the chief federal prosecutor in western Missouri. In those capacities, I oversaw many thousands of investigations. The claims by these senators are baseless. Moreover, to re-cast a technical campaign issue that has already been resolved—and for a $100 fine, no less—as “unethical” or “illegal” is laughable.

Politicians attempting to use their elected office to settle a score is just wrong. Thankfully, our constitution and laws do not permit a group of senators to “investigate” political colleagues or private citizens simply because of disagreements. This baseless and ill-informed political stunt is a desperate attempt to distract Missourians from the work the Governor is doing to shake up Jefferson City and put an end to politics as usual. These stunts won’t work— Missourians support Governor Greitens’ fight for true conservative reforms.

Todd Graves, former US Attorney, is the Chairman of the Missouri Republican Party.