More Republicans questioning if Greitens should stay

ST. LOUIS — A growing number of Republicans are questioning whether Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens should remain in office and are backing a legislative investigation that could lead to impeachment proceedings following the Republican governor’s indictment on an invasion of privacy charge related to an extramarital affair.

Several lawmakers, including some Republicans, are calling on Greitens to resign. The second-highest ranking senator, Majority Leader Mike Kehoe, stopped short of urging resignation but questioned whether Greitens could still effectively lead the state.

“His actions have damaged the reputation of the office,” Kehoe said in a statement late Thursday.

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner announced Thursday a grand jury had indicted the governor following an investigation launched in January, a day after Greitens admitted having an affair with his St. Louis hairdresser beginning in March 2015. The indictment accuses him of taking a compromising photo of the woman without her consent during a sexual encounter at his home.

Greitens released a statement saying he made a mistake but “did not commit a crime.” He accused Gardner, a Democrat who was also elected in November 2016, of playing politics.

“With today’s disappointing and misguided political decision, my confidence in our prosecutorial system is shaken but not broken,” Greitens said. “I know this will be righted soon. The people of Missouri deserve better than a reckless liberal prosecutor who uses her office to score political points.”

Missouri Republican Party Executive Director Sam Cooper echoed those sentiments Friday, calling the indictment a “political hit job.”

Among those calling for Greitens’ resignation is Republican Sen. Gary Romine, who said impeachment proceedings should begin immediately if Greitens doesn’t step down.