Abuse allegations could force former Missouri governor, U.S. Senate candidate out of primary

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Sheena Greitens accused her ex-husband Eric Grietens, Republican U.S. Senate candidate and former Missouri governor, of physical abuse in an affidavit in their child custody case that could force him to withdraw from the Republican primary.

The Secretary of State's office said a candidate can be forced to withdraw if there is a court order. Candidates have until the 11th Tuesday before their election to withdraw their candidacy. The U.S. Senate primaries are on August 2, so the deadline to withdraw is May 17.

"Another candidate could ask for the court's intervention to remove the individual from the ballot," the office said in an email to ABC 17.

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft said he will remain neutral throughout the election.

"We will just run the elections in a non-partisan way, and I have full confidence that the people of the state will look at the facts, will look at the evidence and they'll make a great decision to keep Missouri moving forward," Ashcroft said.

Sheena Greitens filed a motion to move the child custody case to Travis County, Texas. In the affidavit, Sheena Greitens describes alleged instances of physical abuse against her and the former couple's children in the days leading up to Eric Greitens leaving his position as Missouri governor in 2018.

The instances of abuse are necessary for the case to be moved from Boone County to Travis County. Sheena Greitens says she and the former couple's children spend most of their time in Austin, Texas, where Sheena works.

"Eric knocked me down and confiscated my cell phone, wallet, and keys so that I was unable to call for help or extricate myself and our children from our home at Innsbrook, Missouri," the affidavit reads. "When my mother later confronted him about this, he told her that he did so to prevent me from doing anything that might damage his political career."

The affidavit also alleges Eric Greitens did take a photo of his hairdresser. The alleged photo was an integral part of Eric Greiten's impeachment and eventual resignation from office as governor, but the case was dropped due to lack of evidence.

"After Eric admitted to me in late January 2021 that he had taken the photo that resulted in the invasion of privacy charge, he threatened that I would be exposed to legal jeopardy if I ever disclosed that fact to anyone, even family members or a therapist," the affidavit reads.

Gary Sampler, Eric Greitens's lawyer, told ABC 17 that the Sheena Greitens releasing the affidavit may appear strategic.

“The recent filing demonstrates the wisdom of Mark Twain: 'A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.'" Sampler said. "The only audience that matters now is the judge who approved the parties’ agreement and has the power to change it."

Since the affidavit was released, Missouri politicians have called for Eric Greitens to step down from the election.

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler, one of Eric Greitens's opponents in the Republican primaries, said he needs to step down and get help.

"There is no place. Real men do not abuse women, they do not abuse children, period," Hartzler said.

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, another candidate for the Republican nomination, called the allegations “disgusting and sickening” in a statement released on social media.

Another Republican in the race, state Sen. Dave Schatz, called Greitens “unfit to serve in public office.”

Democratic candidates for the Senate seat, Lucas Kunce and Scott Sifton, also issued statements critical of Greitens.

“Eric Greitens is unfit for office,” Sifton said. “His well-established pattern of conduct shows he has no business representing Missouri. I called on him to resign as Governor four years ago, and today I am calling on him to withdraw from the U.S. Senate race.”

Congressman Billy Long, one of Greiten's opponents in the Republican primaries, says the former governor should not stay in the race.

"Like most of America I'm shocked and appalled by what was in Sheena Greitens' sworn affidavit about Eric Greitens,” Congressman Long said. “He is clearly unfit to represent the state of Missouri in the United States Senate. There’s no way he can stay in this race."