Gov. Eric Greitens resigning; Lt. Gov. Mike Parson to succeed

Republican Lt. Gov. Mike Parson, a farmer and former soldier is set to succeed Eric Greitens as Missouri’s 57th governor.

Greitens is resigning at 5 p.m. Friday after facing possible impeachment and a series of legal trouble over allegations stemming from a 2015 extramarital affair and his alleged use of a charity donor list for political purposes.

Parson will be sworn in as Missouri’s governor in a low-key event in the governor’s office. He is scheduled to hold a private prayer service at 4 p.m. and be sworn in at 5:30 p.m.

Lawmakers say Parson will bring stability to a state that has been rocked by the criminal allegations against Greitens.

The new governor is a third-generation farmer, serving two tours in the Military Police, 12 years as Polk County Sheriff and a dozen years in the Legislature.