Some Republican state lawmakers are demanding that John Hancock resign as GOP party chairman, even as Hancock continues to deny that he was behind an alleged anti-Semitic whispering campaign targeted at state auditor Tom Schweich. Senator David Pearce of Warrensburg says the problem is part of a, quote, “systemic issue” in the state’s GOP.
"I don’t think we can ever think that this is acceptable that one of our statewide elected officials committed suicide, and he did it because of all this negative garbage that was thrust upon him," Pearce said.
Pearce was joined by fellow Republican senators Mike Parson and Gary Romine, and House members Bill White and Jim Neely. Meanwhile, Hancock fired back on Thursday, March 12, saying no evidence has surfaced of a whispering campaign. Other GOP leaders including Senate Majority Leader Ron Richard also defended Hancock on Thursday, saying in a release he never heard negative remarks about anyone from Hancock. So far, Hancock says he's committed to doing the job.
