Gov. Eric Greitens did what is right for Missourians by announcing his plans to resign, lawmakers said Tuesday night.
Greitens, who made the announcement about 4:30 p.m., said his resignation would be effective 5 p.m. Friday.
That will leave a lot of work for Lt. Gov. Mike Parson who will ascend to be governor, said Rep. Mike Bernskoetter, R-Jefferson City.
"I think Governor Greitens has done what's in the best interest of the people of the state," Bernskoetter said. "He probably doesn't think that right now. And I'm sure it's in the best interest of his family - Sheena (his wife) and the boys."
In late February, a St. Louis grand jury indicted Greitens on a felony charge of invasion of privacy, saying he had taken photos of a partially nude mistress without her consent.
The House created a committee, chaired by Rep. Jay Barnes, R-Jefferson City, to look into facts surrounding the indictment. Greitens' case eventually went to trial, but when no photo was recovered, prosecutors dropped the charges.
However, the committee expanded its investigation to include a look at whether Greitens illegally obtained mailing lists from a charity he helped establish. The House later called a special session to consider impeaching the governor.
A General Assembly session's worth of legislation is awaiting a governor's signature. House Speaker Todd Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, said he would return to business as usual today and return to the House, approve the legislation and send it to the governor's office.
Bernskoetter said he expects there to be a smooth transition to Parson.
"Parson will have to kick it into high gear and do research on all the legislation," he said, adding Parson is philosophically in line with the General Assembly. "It was all good conservative ideas. It's not like we're changing from a Republican to a Democrat."
The reactions to Greitens' announcement were swift both locally and across the state.
Missouri House of Representative leadership issued a statement immediately after Greitens' resignation.
Richardson, Speaker Pro Tem Elijah Haahr and Majority Floor Leader Rob Vescovo said the governor had put the best interest of Missourians first by choosing to resign.
"The past few months have been difficult for everyone involved, including the governor and his family," the statement said. "This is a serious and solemn occasion that reminds us that our state and our duty are bigger than any one person or party."
Rep. Sara Walsh, R-Ashland, also said the last few months have been difficult for Missouri and its residents. She called on all Missourians to pray for and get behind Parson.
"We must and will move forward for the principles and purpose for which we serve the people of Missouri is a bright torch that cannot be extinguished," Walsh said.
The responsibility the House undertook with its investigation into allegations of wrongdoing by Greitens was not one it would have chosen, according to a statement from House leadership, but was obligated to pursue.
"As public servants, our solemn duty is to put the best interests of the people of this great state first in every decision we make," the lawmakers said. "The Governor's decision today honors that duty and allows Missouri to move forward toward a better tomorrow."
Leaders of the state Senate also released a statement regarding Greitens.
Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard, R-Joplin, said he had high hopes for the work that could be accomplished under Greitens. The state was on a path of improvement. But the situation 16 months after the governor's election has changed drastically, he said. It is not a position Richard imagined legislators would be in. However, he said he has confidence in Parson and other leaders to continue building a better Missouri.
State Auditor Nicole Galloway, a Democrat, and Senate Democratic Leader Gina Walsh were blunt in separate statements about the resignation.
Walsh said, "Innocent people don't resign and criminals don't get let off the hook simply because they cut and run."
Galloway said, "Corruption in state government became worse than ever under Eric Greitens. That corruption must be cleaned up, and our state's reputation must be restored. This can only happen if leaders put the needs of Missourians ahead of themselves."
State Sen. Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, said on social media that "the great state of Missouri moves forward and recommits to the business of governing." He added he looks forward to working with Parson to advance an agenda to grow the economy.
Missouri Democratic Party Chairman Stephen Webber used the occasion of the resignation to take a jab at other Republicans in Jefferson City.
"While corruption ended Eric Greitens' career as a politician, his schemes to slash workers' pay and rip health care away from vulnerable seniors continue to hurt Missourians. Republicans in Jefferson City were wrong to follow Greitens' lead and actively assist his attacks on the middle class," Webber said.
On the other hand, Missouri Republican Party Chairman Todd Graves said Parson, as a former state representative and senator, has always worked hard for Missouri. Graves said the party will work with Parson to maintain veto-proof majorities in both chambers.
"In addition," Graves said, "A united Republican Party will now focus on our number one goal: retiring (U.S. Sen.) Claire McCaskill."
In an email response to the newspaper's request for comments on the resignation, McCaskill wished Parson well.
"I wish Lt. Governor Parson the best," she said. "I look forward to working with him."
The likely front-runner to oppose McCaskill in November, state Attorney General Josh Hawley, a Republican, had called for the governor's resignation. He said the governor did the "right thing" Tuesday. Hawley also stands ready to assist Parson in the transition, he said.
Missouri's other U.S. senator happened to be in Jefferson City on Tuesday afternoon. U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, a Republican, was with state Sen. Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, at an event held by Associated Industries of Missouri, a trade group which represents business and manufacturers around the state, to speak about the benefits of federal tax cuts passed by Congress last year.
In late April, Blunt stopped short of calling for Greitens' resignation on NBC's "Meet the Press," saying lawmakers in the state needed to let the process play out.
"What the Governor is accused of is very concerning, but there's both a legislative process and legal process designed to deal with that," Blunt said at the time.
"Of course (the allegations) were disturbing," he said Tuesday. "I think that process was allowed to get to that point where everybody could make a decision based on all the information that was on the table."
Blunt and Kehoe said the governor made the right decision and that the lieutenant governor will be ready for the job.
"I think the Legislature is ready to move forward," Blunt said. "His service as a county official, state representative, state senator will serve him well."
Kehoe said Missourians wanted closure - one way or the other - as the special session dragged on. With possible impeachment proceedings avoided by the General Assembly, Missourians got that closure Tuesday, Kehoe said.
"We needed to find out what the end result was going to be here and continue to move forward," Kehoe said. "The governor did what he thought was best for his family and the state."
The conversations about the governor did not affect passage of legislation, he added. Kehoe said Greitens was responsible for pushing legislation that will benefit the state.
U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-St. Elizabeth, said online that the allegations against Greitens had also disturbed him.
"This has been a distraction for our entire state," Luetkemeyer said, "and undermined his ability to lead. I am hopeful we can quickly put this behind us and Missouri can move forward under new leadership."