Greiten Joins Missouri GOP Primary Field for Governor

(AP) – Former Navy SEAL officer Eric Greitens is running for Missouri governor in 2016.

Greitens announced his candidacy as a Republican at a Saturday event.

Greitens’ entrance adds to a crowded Republican field vying to replace Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon, who is barred from seeking re-election because of term limits.

The other GOP candidates are former Missouri House speaker and U.S. attorney Catherine Hanaway, Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder and state Sen. Bob Dixon. Businessman John Brunner has scheduled his own gubernatorial campaign announcement for early October.

Attorney General Chris Koster is the heavy favorite front the Democratic nomination.