Missouri Attorney General and Republican Senate candidate Eric Schmitt speaks to supporters on July 31 in Farmington, Mo.
Image of Michael M. Santiago / Getty
hide captions
switch captions
Image of Michael M. Santiago / Getty
Missouri Attorney General and Republican Senate candidate Eric Schmitt speaks to supporters on July 31 in Farmington, Mo.
Image of Michael M. Santiago / Getty
ST. LOUIS — Missouri Republicans have selected Attorney General Eric Schmitt to move forward in the state’s unpredictable U.S. Senate race, following a call from The Associated Press, a move that appears likely to keep the seat. beyond the reach of Democrats.
Victory of the natives of St. Louis came as a relief to many Republicans statewide who had worried that a victory of former Governor Eric Greitens was scandalized would jeopardize what many consider a solid GOP chair.
Schmitt emerged as the winner of the 21-man primaries to succeed U.S. Senator Roy Blunt, who was not running for re-election. He defeated five other major contenders in the race, including Greitens, Representative Vicky Hartzler, attorney Mark McCloskey, Representative Billy Long and Pro-Tem Senate President Dave Schatz.
Before winning a full term as attorney general in 2020, Schmitt served as Missouri treasurer and state senator. He was appointed to succeed U.S. Senator Josh Hawley after he vacated the attorney general’s office after winning the Senate race in 2018.
Schmitt has drawn praise and criticism as attorney general for suing over President Biden’s agenda – and cho go to school after school district implemented COVID-19 restrictions. He faced early opposition from his opponents, who pointed to aspects of his state Senate record, including his push to a merchandise center in St. Louis will trade with China.
Schmitt largely ignored those attacks, and instead highlighted his record as attorney general as he campaigned across the state. He got a boost ahead of the primary from Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who gave a number of well-attended rallies with Schmitt.
Former President Donald Trump on Monday delivered the unusual step only endorsing “ERIC” in the race for the Senatefor all intents and purposes means he is supporting Schmitt and Greitens.
Schmitt will likely face Trudy Busch Valentine or Lucas Kunce in the general election. But Democrats will face an uphill battle for the upper hand in the increasingly Republican status of the last few election cycles.
Republicans have a squeeze in rural areas of the stateas well as several rapidly growing suburbs.
Attempts to stop Greitens succeeded
Former Missouri Governor Eric Greitens speaks to reporters after voting Tuesday in Innsbrook, Mo.
Image of Michael M. Santiago / Getty
hide captions
switch captions
Image of Michael M. Santiago / Getty
Former Missouri Governor Eric Greitens speaks to reporters after voting Tuesday in Innsbrook, Mo.
Image of Michael M. Santiago / Getty
Schmitt’s victory will likely bring relief to Republicans who fear a Greitens victory.
Greitens topped most polls for the majority of the competition. But his standing began to crumble when he faced an avalanche of political action committee ads details allegations of abuse from his ex-wife. Greitens denies he ever physically abused his ex-wife, Sheena Grietens, or their son, but most observers feel the negativity has eroded his support.
State Senator Bill Eigel, who opposes Greitens’ candidacy, said: “I don’t think I’ve seen more destructive ads put up against a candidate. “And in this case, I’m one of those people, and there are many people who believe what she’s saying.”
Republicans fear Greitens will make for a more competitive general election. In addition to the recent scandal, Greitens resigned in 2018 between the controversy surrounding an extramarital affair and the campaign’s financial troubles. Greitens’ supporters argue he is never in danger of losing a general election since the state is now Republican, adding that his detractors don’t want him to have a national platform. .
As Greitens slipped in the polls, Schmitt spent most of his time attacking Hartzler – who had the backing of Hawley and a variety of farming groups. But although she ran a disciplined and well-funded campaign, she was badly damaged when Trump refused to endorse her.
Hartzler continued to break the state, including making several stops with Hawley, but it wasn’t enough to stop Schmitt from winning.
In addition to Schmitt’s Democratic rival, John Wood, a former US attorney, is expected to run as an independent – and could have access to millions of dollars thanks to his ties to the former US Senator John Danforth. While independents rarely make an impact in contests statewide, Wood hopes to buck that trend.
