JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.– Political newcomer Eric Greitens wins a hard-fought contest for Missouri Governor, defeating current Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster after he conceded.
Greitens’ ads painted Koster as a career politician and painted himself as a political outsider. It was Greiten’s first attempt at elected office.
Koster’s ads pointed to Greiten’s inexperience as the reason he was wrong for the job, saying the office of Governor isn’t an entry-level job.
Political action committees also jumped into the fray, with ads accusing Greitens of siphoning off $700,000 from a veterans support group he founded.Greitens supporters accused Koster of spending millions to renovate his offices in Jefferson City, and accusing him of corruption.
In his victory speech in St. Louis, Greitens welcomed Koster supporters, saying his administration would work for all Missourians. “Great teams are forged in the fire of great struggle. Tonight, we did more than win an election. We restored power to the people and we took our state back!”
Greitens grew up in suburban St. Louis, in St. Louis County. He is is a former Navy SEAL who fought in Afghanistan and in Iraq. He founded the nonprofit group, The Mission Continues, which connects veterans with volunteer work after their military careers end.
He won the Republican nomination for the seat in the August 2 primary election, defeating John Brunner, Peter Kinder and Catherine Hanaway in the Missouri Republican primary for governor.
See all election results for Missouri and Arkansas here
