JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Auditor Tom Schweich, a Republican candidate for governor, has died.
According to his office, the 54-year-old Schweich died Thursday. He was taken to the hospital after what his staff described as a “medical situation” at his home in the St. Louis suburb of Clayton.
According to a report from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, a police source said Schweich has suffered from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Schweich had served as state auditor since January 2011 and won re-election to a second, four-year term in November. He announced last month that he was seeking the GOP nomination for governor in 2016.
Before entering politics, Schweich worked as a private-sector attorney and for the federal government. He also served as chief of staff to the U.S. Mission to the United Nations and later worked in the State Department, where he was assigned to coordinate an anti-drug initiative in Afghanistan.
“I join all Missourians in mourning the passing of State Auditor Tom Schweich, a brilliant, devoted and accomplished public servant who dedicated his career to making Missouri and the world a better place,” Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon (D) said Thursday. “From his courageous work to combat the illegal drug trade abroad in Afghanistan to his tireless efforts to protect the interests of taxpayers here in Missouri, Tom Schweich’s exceptional intellect and unwavering dedication to public service left a legacy that will endure for many years to come. The First Lady and I send our most heartfelt condolences to Tom’s wife Kathy and two children, Emilie and Thomas, Jr.”
Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder (R) released the following statement on Schweich’s death:
It is with great sadness that I heard today of the tragic passing of Missouri Auditor Tom Schweich. Tom had a long and unblemished record as a great public servant. As the state’s auditor for the past four years he has served Missouri taxpayers with quiet competence and unswerving dedication. My thoughts and prayers are with his family in this extremely difficult time.
Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) tweeted about Schweich’s death:
I am very sad and hurt so much for Tom Schweich’s family. Good man. Dedicated public servant. Hug those you love.
— Claire McCaskill (@clairecmc) February 26, 2015
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