JEFFERSON CITY — Former state department official Tom Schweich said he is running for Missouri auditor as a Republican.
Schweich plans to officially declare his candidacy Tuesday in his hometown of St. Louis before going on a two-day announcement tour.
This will be Schweich's first statewide campaign. He had considered running for U.S. Senate before opting against it last month.
Republican state House member Allen Icet, of Wildwood, also is running for auditor. They are seeking to challenge Democratic Auditor Susan Montee.
Schweich served in President George W. Bush's administration as an ambassador for counter-narcotics and justice issues in Afghanistan. He also served as deputy assistant secretary of state for international law enforcement and as chief of staff to the U.S. delegation to the United Nations.