State Sen. Mike Parson, R-Bolivar and a former Polk County sheriff, urged Missouri lawmakers to change the political process in the wake of State Auditor Tom Schweich's death last week.
Seventeen hours before the auditor's funeral begins in Clayton this morning, Parson told fellow senators he had agreed to endorse Schweich's campaign for governor "because I believed in his public service record. I believed in his service for his country, and I believed in his service here in the state of Missouri. ... Tom's tireless dedication and service to our country and our state are the memories I will hold of him."
Parson challenged Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, announced attorney general candidate Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, announced secretary of state candidate Will Kraus, R-Lee's Summit, announced state treasurer candidate Eric Schmitt, R-Glendale, other Senate leaders and all lawmakers of both parties to make "a commitment to the people of this state, and ourselves, that we're not going to use propaganda, and we're not going to destroy people's lives at all costs, to win an election. We could start talking about who we are - articulating the difference between ourselves and our opponents - and being honest with the facts."
Several issues have been raised by Schweich's death, Parson noted.
Some have said Schweich was upset with what he thought was an organized campaign by Republican Party leaders - especially new chairman John Hancock - to raise questions about his faith.
Schweich was Episcopalian, but his grandfather was Jewish.
"One has to ask why was the discussion ever in the first place, with consultants in the political arena?" Parson said Monday afternoon.
He complained about a radio ad aired during the GOP's annual Lincoln Days festivities in Kansas City that said Schweich was a "weak candidate for governor (who) could be easily confused for the deputy sheriff of Mayberry," referring to the "Barney Fife" character played by Don Knotts on the "Andy Griffith Show" in the 1960s.
The ad, paid for by a third-party group called "Citizens For Fairness," also said the auditor "can be manipulated" and promised: "We will quickly squash him like a bug that he is ..."
Parson said Monday: "The commercial had no factual basis whatsoever. None. Zero.
"It had nothing to do with the duties of his job, his performance or being an elected official. Zero. Nothing.
"And that fact that that commercial was aired almost two years before a statewide election speaks volumes how far out of hand this all has become."
Parson hopes "there will be a further investigation into this whole situation and, if there are those who bear responsibility, they should be held accountable."
Jack Spooner, an attorney who lost a bid for the state Senate last year, has circulated a column accusing some media of trying to "advertise a private matter and to damage Republicans" with their coverage of Schweich's death.
Nobody should worry about the issues that caused Schweich to kill himself, Spooner wrote.
Instead, he said, people should "concentrate on what can we do to console Tom's family and friends? What can we do to honor Tom's legacy?
"What can we do to spread the message that suicide is not an option to solve problems? And what can we do to remind our friends and loved ones that we care, that we are there for them, and that we will always provide unconditional support if suicide becomes a thought?"
Meanwhile, Parson said, as both sheriff and in his personal life, "I have had the unpleasant experiences of dealing with suicide and the effects it has on the family members.
"There will always be so many unsolved and unanswered questions from an apparent suicide.
"This one's going to be no exception."
Missourians' thoughts and prayers should be with Schweich's widow, Kathy, and their two children, Parson said.
"There will be many questions asked of the family members," Parson said. "They will lose their privacy to grieve because of the necessities of law enforcement to come in and work the crime scene, to do interviews - and go back and do another interview, probably, at some point."
Like Spooner, Parson urged colleagues to pray for and support the family, not only at today's funeral, but in the weeks ahead.