Video shows Democrat slamming Koster for work as prosecutor

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Democratic attorney general candidate Teresa Hensley criticized her party's gubernatorial candidate in a video recently touted by Chris Koster's Republican rival.

The video was taken during a 2006 debate after she succeeded Koster as Cass County prosecutor, Hensley said Wednesday in a statement.

"I have not tried a case since I got to the prosecutor's office," Hensley said in the recording. "The office was such a mess that it took me 22 months to get 18 people working together."

Koster was a Republican when he was Cass County prosecutor from 1995 to 2005, then switched parties in 2007 while serving as a Republican state senator before running as a Democrat for attorney general.

Hensley said at the time the video was recorded, Koster had supported her Republican opponent.

"Not only was there a change in the prosecutor, but also a change in that person's political party," Hensley said Wednesday. "Additionally, there were differences in leadership style and direction. That amount of change is difficult for any organization to handle at one time."

Hensley said she now supports Koster's bid to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon.

Koster said in a statement he and Hensley "have developed a strong working relationship."

Republican gubernatorial candidate Eric Greitens' campaign sent out an email Wednesday with a link to the video.

"Years ago, before career politician Chris Koster and Teresa (Hensley) were on the same Democratic statewide ticket, (Hensley) was scathing in her assessment of Koster," Greitens' campaign manager Austin Chambers said in a statement, adding "she had no motive then to do anything other than tell the truth."

The election is Nov. 8.