Kurt Erickson
,
Jack Suntrup
A jackass and an elephant, symbols of the Democratic and Republican parties, butt heads in this 1920 illustration by Post-Dispatch cartoon Daniel R. Fitzpatrick.
JEFFERSON CITY — Fresh off of Tuesday’s primaries, both major parties set out to define the Nov. 5 general election race, less than three months before voters cast their ballots.
Missouri Democrats, who haven’t won a statewide race in six years, were expected to emphasize the effects of Republicans controlling the Legislature for more than two decades.
“Missourians are exhausted by the GOP’s constant politicizing of any issue — from beer to Disneyland — to boost their campaigns, while Missouri families suffer under the failure of their elected representatives,” the party said in a post-election news release.
In promoting their candidates, Democrats are emphasizing a contrast between the party’s vision for Missouri and the “Republicans’ record of division and chaos.”
Democrats are also hoping a likely ballot measure to overturn Missouri’s Republican-backed abortion ban will boost the party’s chances this fall.
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Republicans, meanwhile, are poised to focus on crime, immigration and fighting against “woke” ideology.
In the U.S. Senate race, incumbent Republican Josh Hawley came out swinging after the returns came in Tuesday, challenging Democrat Lucas Kunce to a debate on the back of a trailer at the Missouri State Fair.
Hawley, who was unopposed Tuesday, employed the same tactic in his first race for the post six years ago against incumbent Claire McCaskill.
Mike Kehoe points to the crowd after announcing his win of Missouri Governor on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, in Jefferson City.
Alix Queen/Missourian via AP
Kunce, meanwhile, is trying to put the focus on his military experience, including his 13 years as a Marine, and on Hawley’s support of banning abortion.
“The share of voters who say abortion is the most important issue facing their state in Missouri is higher than any state poll we have conducted in the past year,” Kunce said.
In the governor’s race, Republican Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe is set to face House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, after fending off a challenge from state Sen. Bill Eigel and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft.
Although Kehoe did not win a majority of Republican votes, he enters the race as the favorite based on the current affinity of Missouri voters for the GOP.
Kehoe, who was congratulated by former President Donald Trump following his victory, is seen as the establishment candidate most likely to follow Gov. Mike Parson’s leadership style.
In his victory speech, Kehoe touted his background as the child of a single mother who went on to become a successful businessman before entering politics as a state senator.
But, the party’s hard-right wing and Eigel’s surge over Ashcroft may force Kehoe to lean harder into divisive issues that Democrats are running against.
In his victory speech, Kehoe vowed to unite divisions within the Republican Party, while listing a number of GOP messaging mainstays, including crime and school choice.
“We’re going to continue working hard so that years from now, after my time as governor is done, we have an even safer, stronger, and more prosperous Missouri!” Kehoe told supporters at an event center in Jefferson City.
Missouri House Minority Leader Crystal Quade speaks at a press conference as Democrats voice frustrations that public services did not receive more funding in a budget passed by the House, Friday, May 10, 2024, at the state Capitol in Jefferson City.
AP Photo/David A. Lieb
A news release from the Missouri Republican Party said Quade has “consistently aligned herself with the woke liberal agenda that is forcing Missouri families to pay more for everyday needs like food, clothes and their homes.”
The GOP also claimed she “has stood with violent criminals rather than their victims” and “supports an open border policy.”
‘Sick of the extremism’
In response, Quade said Wednesday she supports bipartisan border legislation that has stalled in Congress.
“I have won my races by having my yard sign right next to Donald Trump yard signs in the same yard in southwest Missouri,” Quade said. “And I’m pretty sure that those folks don’t think that I am too woke to represent them.”
She touted legislation she sponsored to eliminate sales tax on food and support child care and said her opponents have been giving tax cuts to the wealthy and corporations.
On Tuesday, Quade — who emerged victorious against wealthy businessman Mike Hamra in the Democratic primary — signaled she would also focus on restoring abortion rights in the state.
“Missourians are sick of the extremism, sick of the government overreach of their rights,” she said following her primary win.
In the race for the No. 2 spot, Republican Lieutenant Governor candidate Dave Wasinger pulled out a squeaker after pledging allegiance to Trump, winning the former president’s endorsement and then dispatching Sen. Lincoln Hough of Springfield on Election Night.
With expectations high that the St. Louis County attorney will go full MAGA in his attempt to win the seat, Rep. Richard Brown, D-Kansas City, said he’s running to bring common sense to the office, which has the main responsibility of presiding over the Senate.
Brown is a retired public school teacher facing an uphill climb in fundraising after Wasinger showed he’s willing to self-fund his campaign.
Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who easily beat well-funded challenger Will Scharf in his quest for a full, four-year term, also is poised to carry on his predecessors’ pattern of agitating against Democrats.
Bailey will face Democrat Elad Gross, who said he wants to return the office’s focus to consumer protection and anti-corruption.
Hard-right nominee
The secretary of state’s race pits Republican Sen. Denny Hoskins, a member of the hard-right Freedom Caucus, against Rep. Barbara Phifer, a Kirkwood Democrat.
Hoskins signaled Tuesday that he’ll stick with Trump’s unproven allegations of voter fraud as a campaign theme, saying he is running to ensure that “none of the electoral fraud that took place in 2020” happens here.
“I will work hard to eliminate electoral fraud and advocate for a return to secure elections using in-person voting and no machines that can be hacked or sabotaged,” Hoskins said in a post-election statement.
That sentiment wasn’t shared with the current secretary of state.
In a release Wednesday, Ashcroft said the election went smoothly, even if he did lose.
“Elections are the bedrock of our republic and Missouri continues to be a national leader in election integrity. We have safe, accurate, accessible elections with timely results. That’s not something every state can boast,” said Ashcroft.
Phifer, a former Methodist pastor, wants to return the office to its core mission of supervising Missouri elections, administering business rules and supporting the state’s public libraries.
“This November, join me in protecting democracy, supporting local business, and fighting book bans,” Phifer said in a social media message Wednesday.
Treasurer Vivek Malek, an appointee of Parson, bested his Republican challengers by a wide margin Tuesday, earning the right to run for a full, four-year term. He will face Democrat Mark Osmack, an Army combat veteran.
Malek, an immigration lawyer before entering politics, has patterned his campaign after Trump, calling himself an “America First” candidate.
“This election made it clear that the Missouri Republican Party is the party that welcomes all conservatives, regardless of race,” Malek said.
Like Quade and Kunce, Osmack is expected to emphasize his blue-collar roots after being raised in a mobile home park in Fenton.
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Publish date : 2024-08-06 13:00:00
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