07/07/2009

Associated Press

Former State Department official Tom Schweich (shwyk) opens his run for Missouri auditor with a pledge to scrutinize the state's share of federal stimulus money.

Schweich kicked off his campaign Tuesday with a statewide fly-around starting in his hometown of St. Louis. He joins state House Budget Committee Chairman Allen Icet, of suburban St. Louis, in a likely Republican primary in 2010.

They are seeking to challenge Democratic Auditor Susan Montee.

Schweich served in several State Department roles under former President George W. Bush. He describes himself as a fiscal conservative with experience as a federal investigator and manager and as a private-sector lawyer.

Icet touts his budget experience. He announced endorsements Tuesday from 80 of his fellow 88 House Republicans and two state senators.