New Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick takes oath of office

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick has been sworn into office. The Republican took office Monday during an inauguration ceremony in the Jefferson City Capitol building. He’s replacing Democratic Auditor Nicole Galloway, who didn’t run for re-election. Fitzpatrick says school audits are a top priority. Republican Gov. Mike Parson named Fitzpatrick state treasurer in 2018 after Eric Schmitt left to replace now-Sen. Josh Hawley as attorney general. Voters re-elected Fitzpatrick as treasurer in 2020, then elected him auditor in 2022. Fitzpatrick previously served as a state representative. He led state budgeting work in the Legislature as the former House Budget Committee chairman.