After the resignation of now ex-Governor Eric Greitens, the question many people may be asking is "What now?" or more aptly, "Who now?". Greitens, who had previously been hailed as a "rising star" of the GOP, resigned this past Tuesday amid allegations of a sex scandal and the misuse of charity donations for political purposes. His successor is Republican lieutenant governor Mike Parson.

Mr. Parson, age 62, lives with his wife in Southwest Missouri, where the duo owns a cow and calf operation. He was raised on a farm in Hickory county, after which he took courses at both the University of Hawaii and the University of Maryland while he served for six years in the army.

While Greitens was new to the world of politics, with his 2016 campaign for governor being his debut, Parson boasts a wealth of political experience and allies on both ends of the political spectrum.

Parson began his political career as the sheriff of Polk County in 1993. Between this fact and Parson's personable personality, he is sometimes jokingly compared to beloved TV sheriff Andy Griffith. He held this position until 2005 when he was sworn into the Missouri House of Representatives, where he served until 2011. After this time Parson became a state senator, a position he held until 2017.

Greitens and Parson have been described as having strongly contrasting personalities, though they share many of the same conservative ideologies, such as tax cuts and restrictions on abortion. Parson is held in high esteem by the conservative party, holding a near-perfect rating with the American Conservative Union and the National Rifle Association.

During his time as a legislator, Parson most notably co-sponsored an expansion of Missouri's 2007 "castle doctrine" law. This law allows homeowners to use deadly force against intruders of their home or vehicle without fear of facing a lawsuit.

When asked about the scandal that caused his predecessor to resign, Parson's office released the following statement on Tuesday:

“With Governor Greitens’ decision to resign from office, he has put the best interests of our state and all Missourians at the forefront where they belong. This is a decision that will allow our state to heal and move forward from what has been a difficult time. This is an enormous responsibility serving as our state’s next governor, and I am ready to fulfill the duties of the office with honor and integrity, and with a steadfast commitment to making our great state even greater for the people we are entrusted to serve.”