Tom Schweich has begun his second term as Missouri auditor.
Flanked by members of his family, Schweich was sworn in Monday by Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Russell during a small ceremony inside the state auditor's office. He told a small group of family, friends, and supporters that his office would continue to root out corruption and fraud over the next four years.
"We've got some very important state audits" coming up, Schweich said. "We're going to continue to do what we started four years ago, (and) we're going t0 take it up a notch every day."
He also answered questions from reporters about next year's Missouri governor's race, including whether he'll be tossing his hat in the ring.
"I'm in the course of the decision-making process (and) I expect to have an answer before Valentine’s Day," Schweich said.
Earlier today, Missouri U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, a Democrat, announced that she would not be seeking the governor's office, and that she intends to seek another term in the U.S. Senate. Shweich was also asked about that.
"I heard that (and) I have no comment on that, thanks."
So far, the only announced candidate for governor is Republican Catherine Hanaway, former Missouri House speaker and U.S. attorney. State Attorney General Chris Koster, a Democrat, is also expected to enter the governor's race but hasn’t officially announced yet.
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