Tom Schweich

Thomas A. Schweich (October 2, 1960 – February 26, 2015) was an American politician, diplomat, attorney, and author. A member of the Republican Party, Schweich served as State Auditor of Missouri from 2011 until his death in 2015.

Prior to being elected State Auditor, he served as the U.S. Coordinator for Counternarcotics and Justice Reform in Afghanistan. While in that position, he was given the rank of Ambassador by U.S. President George W. Bush.

In the 2010 election, Schweich was elected State Auditor, defeating Democratic incumbent Susan Montee. He was reelected in 2014 without major-party opposition. In 2015, Schweich announced he would run for Governor of Missouri in the 2016 election. On February 26, 2015, he committed suicide with a firearm.

Education and legal career Schweich was born in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Brigitte, who was Christian and Julius Schweich, who was Jewish. He was a fifth generation Missourian and a graduate of Missouri's public school system. Schweich was not Jewish but believed that there was an antisemitic whispering campaign preceding his death which suggested that he was Jewish. One investigative reporter has been unable to determine the authenticity of the claims, and whether or not they were being used for political gain. Schweich received his undergraduate degree from Yale University, and he obtained his Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School. After law school he joined the oldest law firm in Missouri, Bryan Cave.

United Nations John Danforth appointed Schweich to be his chief of staff when he was the United States Ambassador to the United Nations.

In the general election, he faced incumbent and Democratic nominee Susan Montee. The race marked the first time in 144 years that a Republican had run for a Missouri statewide office without any Democratic opposition. Democrats attributed Schweich's implementation of an anti-embezzlement program, rapid response team, and grading system, strong fundraising numbers, and broad bipartisan support of his audits as reasons why he did not draw Democratic opposition for re-election.

Writing career and personal interests In addition to his public service career, Schweich was an avid numismatist and a collector of movie memorabilia.

He wrote three books and numerous articles on topics including business law, numismatic history and international relations. Accolades for his work include three literary awards from the American Numismatic Association. He wrote his first book, Protect Yourself From Business Lawsuits (…and Lawyers Like Me) (Simon & Schuster), in 1998, and it became the best selling business law book on Amazon.com. Governor Jay Nixon decreed that flags would be flown at half-staff in his memory. Fitz was talking with Schweich's wife, who had initiated the call, when the fatal shot was fired.

Some prominent state figures openly cast blame on the Republicans, particularly their campaign manager Jeff Roe, for willfully growing a "toxic campaign culture". The ad that aired early in the campaign mocked Schweich for his physical appearance and called him a "little bug". "Politics", he said, "has gone so hideously wrong."

On March 29, 2015, Robert "Spence" Jackson, 44, the spokesman for the Missouri State Auditor's office since October 2011, was found dead at his home in Jefferson City of a gunshot wound, an apparent suicide. Jackson's note read only "I'm so sorry. I just can't take being unemployed again". Police spokesman Doug Shoemaker said investigators wouldn't speculate concerning any connection to Schweich's death "or really entertain questions that might link Mr. Jackson to any type of political issue, whether it's perceived or real".

Following Schweich's death, Governor Jay Nixon appointed John Watson as Acting State Auditor, and subsequently appointed Boone County Treasurer Nicole Galloway to serve as State Auditor until the 2018 election.

Electoral history