ST. LOUIS – Tom Schweich, Republican candidate for Missouri State Auditor, announced today that former United States Senator, United States Ambassador to the United Nations, and Missouri Attorney General John Danforth will speak at an event in Kansas City, Missouri, in support of Schweich’s candidacy. The event will be held on October 15.

“Tom is the most productive person I know,” Danforth said. “His experience in auditing and investigating over a 25 year period make him perhaps the most well qualified candidate ever for the state auditor’s office.”

Danforth served 26 years in public office, including 18 as a U.S. Senator representing Missouri. He is currently a partner at the law firm of Bryan Cave, LLP, and has led the Danforth Foundation, one of the largest private, not-for-profit organizations in the St. Louis Metropolitan area. He is also an ordained Episcopal priest and author.

Schweich first worked with Danforth when the senator was appointed Special Counsel by Attorney General Janet Reno to investigate the federal raid on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas. Danforth appointed Schweich as the Chief of Staff of the investigation entailing more than 1,000 witness interviews, examining more than 2.3 million pages of documents, and combing through thousands of pounds of physical evidence. They completed the investigation in a little over a year.

In 2004, Schweich received a presidential appointment as chief of staff of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. While there, he worked for three U.N. ambassadors: John Danforth, Anne Patterson (acting), and John R. Bolton. During his service, Schweich testified before Congress on ways to correct U.N. inefficiencies and corruption arising out of the U.N. “Oil for Food” scandal involving illegal kickbacks from U.N. member states and officials to Saddam Hussein. Schweich later served as deputy director and acting director of the law enforcement division of the State Department, and then as a U.S. ambassador helping Afghanistan build its judicial system and fight the drug trade.

“I am honored that a man of the stature of Sen. Jack Danforth would be willing to headline a fundraiser on my behalf,” Schweich said. “I look forward to an exciting event in Kansas City.”

Schweich is a Republican with extensive financial, legal, investigative, audit, and management experience who has consistently advocated conservative financial principles throughout his many national and global roles. He lives with his wife, Kathy, and their two children in St. Louis.