Eric Greitens

Eric Greitens is an American politician and former military officer who served as the 56th governor of Missouri from January 2017 until his resignation in June 2018. A member of the Republican Party, Greitens is recognized for his military service as a United States Navy SEAL and for his humanitarian work. His tenure as governor was marked by significant legislative actions, controversies, and investigations that ultimately led to his resignation.

Early life and career

Eric Robert Greitens was born on April 10, 1974, in St. Louis, Missouri. He is the son of Becky and Rob Greitens, with his mother working as a special education teacher and his father serving as an accountant for the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Greitens was raised in a family with a blend of Jewish and Catholic backgrounds; his mother is Jewish, while his father is Catholic. He grew up in a Democratic household and completed his secondary education at Parkway North High School, graduating in 1992.

Following high school, Greitens attended Duke University, where he majored in ethics, philosophy, and public policy. He graduated summa cum laude in 1996. His academic achievements earned him a Harry S. Truman Scholarship, which facilitated his selection as a Rhodes Scholar. Greitens pursued graduate studies at Oxford University, specifically at Lady Margaret Hall, where he earned a Master of Philosophy in development studies in 1998 and a Doctor of Philosophy in politics in 2000. His doctoral research focused on the efforts of humanitarian organizations in aiding children affected by war.

Greitens's commitment to humanitarian work began during his college years. He volunteered in various capacities, including working with children in refugee camps in Croatia and serving in locations such as Rwanda and Zaire as a U.N. photographer. His experiences in these regions shaped his understanding of global humanitarian issues and informed his later advocacy efforts.

In addition to his academic and humanitarian pursuits, Greitens enlisted in the United States Navy. He attended Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida, graduating in May 2001 as an ensign in the Navy Reserve. He subsequently completed Basic Underwater Demolitions/SEAL (BUD/S) training in Coronado, California, graduating with Class 237 in February 2002. Greitens rose through the ranks to become a lieutenant commander and was deployed multiple times to various regions, including Iraq, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, and Southeast Asia. His military service included commanding a joint special operations task unit and an al-Qaeda targeting cell, earning him several commendations, including a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.

After leaving active duty, Greitens participated in a one-year White House fellowship, appointed by President George W. Bush. During this time, he developed initiatives aimed at engaging architecture and engineering students in rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Katrina. He continued to serve in the Navy Reserve while also leading programs that recruited advisers for special military operations globally.

Governorship

Greitens entered the political arena by running for governor of Missouri in 2016 as a Republican candidate. His campaign gained traction in a predominantly Republican state, and he successfully navigated the Republican primary, defeating three opponents. In the general election, Greitens faced Democratic candidate Chris Koster, the Missouri Attorney General, and emerged victorious, marking a significant milestone as Missouri's first Jewish governor.

During his time in office, which began in January 2017, Greitens focused on various legislative initiatives. One of his notable actions was signing Missouri's right-to-work law, which aimed to limit the power of labor unions in the state. This legislation, however, faced significant opposition and was later repealed by a statewide referendum.

Greitens's governorship was marred by controversy, particularly in early 2018 when he faced allegations stemming from an extramarital relationship. In February of that year, he was charged with felony invasion of privacy, accused of taking an unauthorized photograph of the woman involved. The allegations escalated when the woman also accused him of sexual assault, which Greitens denied. A bipartisan Special Investigative Committee of the Missouri House of Representatives was formed to examine the allegations, culminating in a report released in April 2018.

In addition to the invasion of privacy charge, Greitens was indicted on a felony count of computer tampering in April 2018. This charge was related to the alleged misuse of a donor list from The Mission Continues, a nonprofit organization he co-founded, for political fundraising purposes without proper authorization. Ultimately, all criminal charges against him were dropped in May 2018.

Facing mounting pressure and the possibility of impeachment proceedings, Greitens resigned from the governorship on June 1, 2018. His resignation followed the convening of a special session of the Missouri General Assembly to consider the allegations against him.

Policy focus and legacy

Throughout his governorship, Greitens emphasized a range of policy initiatives, including economic development, veterans' affairs, and education reform. His experience as a Navy SEAL and his humanitarian background influenced his approach to issues affecting military personnel and their families. He founded The Mission Continues to support veterans transitioning to civilian life, reflecting his commitment to service members.

Despite his initial popularity and the significant legislative actions taken during his administration, Greitens's legacy is complicated by the controversies that led to his resignation. His tenure is often viewed through the lens of the investigations and allegations that overshadowed his policy achievements. Following his resignation, Greitens attempted to return to public office by running for a U.S. Senate seat in 2022, but he lost the Republican primary to Eric Schmitt, the Missouri Attorney General.

Overall, Eric Greitens's time as governor of Missouri is characterized by a blend of military service, humanitarian efforts, and political challenges, leaving a complex legacy in the state's political landscape.