CLAYTON, Mo. – While the politics surrounding the apparent suicide of State Auditor Tom Schweich had stayed below the surface in the lead-up to Tuesday’s funeral, that band-aid was ripped off as quickly as Schweich’s casket left the sanctuary here at the Church of St. Michael and St. George.

In a brief interview, Schweich’s former spokesman, Spence Jackson, said John Hancock, chairman of the Missouri Republican Party, should resign immediately after allegations that he had led an anti-Semitic campaign regarding Schweich before Christian conservative donors.

“There is no way that the Missouri GOP can move forward under his leadership for the reasons that Sen. Danforth made out this morning,” Jackson said. “He needs to resign and Catherine Hanaway needs to call on him to resign. It is unconscionable to think that the Missouri GOP can be successful in 2016 as John Hancock as the chairman.”

“Anyone who heard Sen. Danforth’s moving speech believes we need action immediately,” he added.

Hancock has repeatedly denied the charges leveled by Schweich.