ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - National Republicans are growing increasingly concerned about their prospects, if Eric Greitens wins the Senate primary in Missouri.
On Monday, Greitens' ex-wife Sheena alleged in a sworn affidavit that he'd abused her and their children. Greitens called her allegations "competely fabricated and baseless." He said he is seeking full custody of his sons, and for their sake will continue to pray for their mother and hope she gets the help she needs.
CBS News political consultant Leonard Steinhorn told KMOX's Total Information AM party officials are concerned should Greitens win the GOP primary, it might give Democrats an opening, similar to Todd Akin's comments on rape, which gave Claire McCaskill a chance to win in a previous Senate race, "You have top people in the U.S. Senate among Republicans, like John Thune and John Cornyn. Thune says to drop out. Cornyn says it's very ugly."
Will the new abuse allegations cause former President Trump to rethink any endorsement? Steinhorn notes Greitens visited Mar-A-Lago just a month ago, "Eric Greitens is playing for the Trump base and hoping that will be enough potentially to get Donald Trump's endorsement."
U.S. Senator Rick Scott of Florida heads Republicans' Senate election efforts. He calls the allegations "pretty disturbing" and says he hopes it gives Trump a big pause about issuing an endorsement.
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, who is also running in the Republican Senate primary, issued this statement on the Greitens situation, "These allegations of abuse are disgusting and sickening. As Missouri’s attorney general, I know a predator when I see one, and I have fought for victims every step of the way. The behavior described in this affidavit is cause for Eric Greitens to be in prison, not on the ballot for U.S. Senate. He should end his campaign immediately."
Another Republican Senate candidate, Congressman Billy Long provided this statement, "Like most of America I'm shocked and appalled by what was in Sheena Greitens' sworn affidavit about Eric Greitens. 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."
And Republican Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler, who is also running for Senate, said Monday, "Real men never abuse women and children. Period. End of story... It's time for Eric to get out of the Senate race and get professional help."
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