Eric Greitens (R)

Overview

At a Glance

• Implemented significant tax cuts for individual income taxes, aiming to stimulate economic growth by encouraging spending and investment among Missouri residents.
• Streamlined welfare programs to promote employment and self-sufficiency, including initiatives designed to connect individuals seeking work with available job opportunities.
• Advocated for veterans’ issues, successfully enhancing resources and support systems for military service members transitioning to civilian life and working to improve access to healthcare and educational benefits.
• Initiated workforce development programs focusing on skills training to meet the needs of Missouri's changing economy, facilitating partnerships with local businesses to create more job opportunities.
• Promoted public safety initiatives aimed at reducing crime rates and ensuring safer communities for Missouri residents.
• Resigned on June 1, 2018, after facing mounting pressure from lawmakers and constituents, making him the first governor in over a century to resign under such circumstances specifically due to personal conduct issues.

Personal History

Eric Robert Greitens was born on April 10, 1974, in St. Louis, Missouri, into a Jewish family that emphasized the importance of education, community service, and personal integrity. His mother, Becky, was an early childhood special education teacher, and his father, Rob, worked for the Department of Agriculture. He grew up with two younger brothers, Marc and Aaron. Greitens attended Missouri public schools, where he played baseball and soccer and got his first job while he was in elementary school. In 1992, he graduated from Parkway North High School in St. Louis.

Greitens earned a scholarship to Duke University, where he took up boxing. He also participated in humanitarian missions overseas, working with refugee and orphan children in Croatia and Bosnia, with Rwandan children and families who survived the genocide, and with children of the street in Bolivia.

Greitens also earned a Rhodes scholarship to Oxford University. He continued to work overseas with children and families in hardship, including in one of Mother Teresa’s homes for the destitute and dying in India and at an orphanage in Albania. He studied how leaders and communities can come together to help children and families in situations of extreme hardship, poverty, and war. At Oxford, Greitens also became a champion boxer.

Both of his grandfathers served in the military in World War II. Inspired by them, and with a desire to serve his country, he joined the United States Navy on January 20, 2001. After graduating from Officer Candidate School, Greitens received orders to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training (BUD/S) and reported for duty. He graduated with BUD/S class 237.

He served as a U.S. Navy SEAL on four deployments: in Afghanistan with a counterterrorism U.S. Special Operations Special Mission Unit, as the commander of a Mark V Special Operations Craft Detachment in Southeast Asia, and as the commander of Naval Special Warfare Task Unit Manda Bay in the Horn of Africa. In 2005-2006, he served as a White House Fellow under President George W. Bush, and in 2006, he deployed to Iraq for his fourth tour of duty, as the commander of an al-Qaeda targeting cell in Fallujah.

After his unit was hit by a suicide truck bomb, Greitens returned home and founded The Mission Continues, which helps America’s veterans live lives of purpose, productivity, dignity and meaning here at home. In seven years as CEO, He built The Mission Continues into a nationally recognized veterans’ organization and won numerous awards for his service and leadership.

Greitens has two sons.

Political History

Greitens began his political career by running for the governorship of Missouri in 2016. He campaigned as an outsider, emphasizing his military service and leadership experiences, which he argued prepared him to address pressing state issues, including job creation, education reform, and government accountability. His campaign employed a populist message that appealed to voters who felt disillusioned with traditional politicians and the political establishment.

To engage voters, the Greitens campaign utilized social media and grassroots mobilization effectively. He gained significant support from various Republican factions, particularly those advocating for conservative governance. His proposals for tax reform and reducing government bureaucracy resonated with constituents frustrated by rising taxes and inefficiencies in state government. Greitens won the Republican primary and subsequently defeated Democratic candidate Chris Koster in the general election, taking office as the 56th governor of Missouri on January 9, 2017.

In May 2018, as discussions surrounding potential impeachment proceedings intensified, Greitens announced that he would not seek re-election. He officially resigned on June 1, 2018, becoming the first governor of Missouri to step down under such circumstances in over a century.

Upon assuming office, Greitens introduced several policy initiatives aimed at economic growth. He pushed for tax cuts for individuals and businesses, believing these measures would attract new investments to Missouri. Additionally, he prioritized workforce development, launching programs to enhance vocational training and connect residents with job opportunities in high-demand fields. Greitens also focused on veterans, advocating for reforms in the state’s healthcare and support systems.

However, Greitens’ governorship faced challenges due to allegations of misconduct that emerged in 2017, including concerns regarding campaign finance. These allegations garnered significant media attention and resulted in investigations. Greitens maintained his innocence, asserting that the accusations were politically motivated. Nonetheless, the situation created difficulties for his administration and led to divisions within the Republican Party regarding his leadership.

Historical Significance

Eric Greitens's governorship is notable for being Missouri's first Jewish governor, and it also reflects broader trends in national politics. He successfully connected with voters by addressing key issues such as job creation and tax reform, particularly in a state grappling with economic challenges. As a political outsider, Greitens framed himself as a transformative leader, leveraging his background as a former Navy SEAL and entrepreneur to present an image of strength and innovation, which appealed to those dissatisfied with traditional political norms.

His administration demonstrated the potential for outsiders to influence state governance and initiated important discussions about different leadership approaches. Ultimately, Greitens' tenure exemplifies the evolving nature of political engagement and highlights the varied paths through which contemporary leaders can emerge.