JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – New Gov. Mike Parson is standing by a state contract awarded to the Missouri chief operating officer’s former employer.

Parson spokesman Steele Shippy on Monday said the bidding process is the Administration Office’s exclusive responsibility and that the governor’s office supports it.

At issue is a roughly $2.7 million contract awarded in June to McKinsey and Company. Drew Erdmann worked there before former Gov. Eric Greitens created the chief operating officer position and hired Erdmann.

House Democratic Leader Gail McCann Beatty on Monday said Greitens’ administration “rigged” the process to help McKinsey. She called on Parson to cancel the contract and eliminate the chief operating officer’s position, which Shippy confirmed Parson won’t do.