Missouri governor who resigned over blackmail claims runs for Senate

Nearly three years ago, Missouri Governor Eric Greitens left the state capitol in disgrace as he faced down two criminal charges, an ethics probe, and public fallout over reports that he’d had an affair with a hairdresser and then allegedly tried to blackmail her with nude photos.

Now, the criminal charges have been dropped, the ethics case has been closed, and Mr Greitens is aiming for a Lazarus-esque comeback.

The Republican announced on Fox News on Monday that he will run for the US Senate seat opening next year with the retirement of Senator Roy Blunt – a move that quickly froze out some other GOP figures angling for the seat.

Mr Greitens, 46, has tied his political fortunes to former President Donald Trump, backing Mr Trump’s false claims about mass election fraud and promising on Twitter that he would “continue Trump’s America First policies”. His candidacy has left some in the state party, which essentially forced him from office in 2018, wringing their hands about his entry to the race, Politico recently reported.