JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – State Auditor Tom Schweich said Monday he will make a decision by mid-February about whether he will challenge former House Speaker Catherine Hanaway for the Republican nomination for governor in 2016.

Speaking with reporters after being sworn-in to a second term in the post, Schweich said he had not yet decided whether he will run.

“I’ll have an announcement about that soon enough,” he said. “I think you’ll probably know something by Valentine’s Day.”

Schweich was sworn-in by Chief Justice Mary Russell in his first-floor Capitol office. Crowning the top of the wall in his office are portraits of former state auditors, including now U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, looking down toward his desk.

Her shadow was over Schweich again on Monday after she announced she would not be seeking the Democratic nomination for step post, removing the most high-profile inter-party opponent from likely Democratic candidate Chris Koster’s way.

When asked about McCaskill’s decision, Schweich said flatly: “I’ll have no comment.”

Nathan Adams, a political advisor to Schweich, said McCaskill’s decision Monday means Republicans will need to foot a strong candidate against Koster, who is armed with a large campaign warchest.

“With Chris Koster running unopposed for Governor in 2016 it will be extremely important Republicans put a proven vote-getter up against him, someone with a history of winning statewide elections,” Adams said. “Koster’s campaign will be well-funded and Republicans also need to put up a candidate who can raise funds from a large number of donors across the state.”