Schweich: People are eager to hear what I have to say

Tom Schweich officially announced his candidacy for state auditor moments ago on Charlie Brennan's show on KMOX.
Schweich is the second candidate to announce for the Republican nomination, following Rep. Allen Icet of Wildwood.

Originally, Schweich had considered a run against Seventh District Congressman Roy Blunt for Kit Bond's U. S. Senate seat, and had even made disparaging comments about Blunt, but that changed after a talk with Blunt. "He came to my home," Schweich said During that visit, Blunt convinced Schweich he actually had a lot to offer.

But that wasn't what caused Schweich to run for auditor rather than Congress. He said he began to hear from Republicans all over the state, who convinced him they needed someone to run against incumbent State Auditor Susan Montee. "I stepped aside to avoid a bitter primary," Schweich said.

"They told me we needed a tough candidate with a wide base of support."

Schweich will make the now traditional announcement tour across the state today and tomorrow, he told Brennan.

"People are eager to hear what I have to say."