Trump backs Eric in Missouri primary, title shared by rivals

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POPLAR BLUFF, MO – Republicans Compete for US Senate nomination in Tuesday’s primary elections here held their final day of campaign in familiar state of suspense – checking their phones for Donald Trump’s statement.

But by the end of the day former the president introduced more chaos in already stormy race simply approving “ERIC” – first a name shared by two rival candidates − former Gov. Eric Greitens and State Attorney General Eric Schmitt, as he suggested he left the choice between the two up to voters.

“There are BIG elections in great state of Missouri, and we must send to the US Senate a MAGA champion and a true warrior, someone who will fight for Border security, election integrity, our military and great veterans together with have powerful strength on Crime and the border,” Trump tweeted. in statement. “I trust Great People of Missouri, on it’s one to do up their own minds, just like they did when they gave me landslide victories in in the 2016 and 2020 elections and as such I am proud to announce that ERIC has my full and complete support!”

Trump support in 2022 Republican primaries

An unusual statement has come hours after Trump wrote on Truth Social: “I will support in great state of Republican from Missouri race (Nomination) for Senate today! In recent days, several of candidates to replace outgoing Senator Roy Blunt (R) made 11 hour feed for nod in fierce disputes race.

Him final campaign rally in St. Louisarea At GOP headquarters, Schmitt told supporters he was “supported by President Trump” and that he thanked Trump when he called with in news. On Twitter, in front of him final an airport rally near the state’s largest city, Greitens also said he thanked Trump over telephone.

dual approval was small victory for Republicans in the Senate who worried that Trump would fully support Greitens. Senator Rick Scott of Florida, Chairman of National Republican Senatorial Committee lobbied for Trump on Monday calling him not back Greitens, according to the man with knowledge of situation, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe private interaction.

In the days events made up new dose of confusion in a race which was filled with It. Greitens, who ruled this country for 16 months before he resigned due to personal and political scandals and more recently faced allegations of domestic violence, which he denies, campaigns as a tortured outsider who fought in the same “swamp” as Trump. To stop him, Republican Party donors poured at least $6 million into super PAC, show me the values with accusation advertising of insult and warn that he is not worthy to represent Missouri.

“We have every right enemiesGreitens defiantly told the evening crowd in house party here last a week. “It tells me that they recognize that our campaign poses a threat business still.”

upcoming of On Tuesday, some Republicans hoped the ad would neutralize Greitens and that possible Trump’s approval will cement race for Schmitt. campaign for the Republican seat since 1987 has been a test of fears about being elected, and the scandal-ridden candidate is dragging down in the party is enough to stop the candidate who connects to conservative resentment and distrust in in media as well as party institution.

Schmitt and Rep. Vicki Hartzler, who supported by Senator Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), attacked Greitens in an attempt to distance themselves from Republican leaders. Through racex final weekend, both called for Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) will be replaced as leader of the Republican Party, and both were warning that Greitens could put a place in risk in November.

“You’re going to vote for in former governor who insulted his wife and his child, attacked his child and left on Missouri?” Schmitt said at the rally. with supporters in Colombia last a week. Advocate general, who pushed for Trump support how he was resurrected in limited public poll, cited allegations by Greitens’ ex-wife, which the candidate described as a distraction following separate allegations that forced him to resign office in 2018 in without accusations against his.

“This man is a quitter,” Schmitt said. “And when things go wrong, he goes.”

Schmitt said after these remarks that he is still seeking Trump’s approval. with in former the president is probably “aware of separation in polls are last week.” But Trump, whose approval in other states sometimes saddled party with weak candidates, were silent for most of in race, not including a statement condemning Hartzler.

What left many Republican voters guess which candidate shares the values ​​and priorities they valued in Trump, or at least the fighting spirit against institution which, in their opinion, gave up too much land for liberals.

“Eric Schmitt is the establishment candidate,” said Kim Franklin, a 55-year old social worker who supports Greitens. waiting for in former The governor will speak at a rally on Saturday sports A bar where neon lights signified “stairway to heaven” and “highway to hell,” she likened the ex-governor to ex-presidents. “They both got hit by the railroad, and we, people who voted for they were robbed.”

Show Me Values ​​PAC, funded with start-up cash from supporters of Schmitt donors Rex and Jean Sinquefield and Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts (right), worked in recent weeks to try to bear such impressions. In some of its 30-second spots, an actress posing as Greitens’ ex-wife read the affidavit he was charged with of “abuse”, both against She and against them young son. Greitens called the ex-wife’s accusations “baseless”. But that was unconvincing to some Republican primary voters.

“I wish Greitens would drop out’ said Matt Fisher, 42.year- old loan officer who inclined towards Schmitt. “He keeps embarrassing us. He is a disgrace to our state.”

Greitens advanced to primary in March 2021, telling Fox News that he has been “completely exonerated.” Investigation found no violations on a campaign financial and felony charges against he claims invasion of Confidentiality against woman, his former the hairdresser with whom he confessed to having an affair with was abandoned prosecutors.

former the governor has won some endorsements from Trump allies with intensive subscriptions such as former national security adviser Michael Flynn. Greitens portrayed himself as an enemy of Rino who stands for “Republicans in just a name.” He had faced criticism for release campaign ad that shows he pretends to hunt down members of his own party with guns – message him campaign monetized with “Hunting permits RINO” on place on vehicle windows.

“We must acknowledge that we in a fight against evil,” Greitens said at his Saturday rally. in St. Charles County, where he denounced the Republicans. who he said he challenged Trump’s efforts to finish US-Mexico border wall.

Blunt, whose pension plans kicked out off this primary was one of Republicans who not approved of Trump decision shuffle defense funds for payment for in wall. As well as in March after release of affidavit from Sheena Greitens accusing her ex-husband of insults, blunt called on Greitens get out race.

Public and private poll that has spotted record in Missouri, found that the affidavit hurt Greitens. ad campaign concentrated on in new the allegations, strategists say, helped Schmitt and Hartzler move forward. As well as support for The PAC team that gave the Greitens air cover before affidavit from his ex-wife, dried up. In the final stages of in race some Greitens supporters made little effort to help him to prevail.

Blake Johnson, 45 years old.year old contractor installed Greitens the size of a fridge sign on bed of his Ford F-350. Driving through St. Charles County, a Republican stronghold. outside St. Louis, he tracked down support he saw for ex governor. “I had three people turn me over off today, but they all drove a Prius, so you’re guessing they were leaning left,” he said on Saturday. “I had 21 people give me thumbs up up”.

At the end of June former U.S. Attorney John Wood filed an independent bid with the Senate and called Greitens “danger our democracy” by convincing some Republicans that Greitens could lose the November election, which anyone more in his party should win.

“Seems like Greitens could be dead now,” said Democratic nominee Lukas Kounse, veteran and antitrust activist for his partynomination at the town hall on wednesday night in Colombia. If Greitens lost on On Tuesday, Koons hoped that Wood and the GOP candidate could face a “little civil war – the country club Republicans vs Trump side”.

Other candidates in crowded field also enlisted the support of Trump and run in his mold. Rep. Billy Long (R-Mo.) run lace campaign urging Trump to support him. Mark McCloskey, Attorney who became Trump’s 2020 surrogate after pointing a rifle at Black Lives Matter protesters marching through his St. Louis neighborhood, also in in race.

Hartzler and Schmitt have different conservative bona fides and various strategies for win. Earlier this yearHartzler, a farmer-turned-legislator, was censored on Twitter – Icon of honour in Republican Party Primaries – for ad out transgender athletes.

“Female sports are for womenHartzler said. in advertising that focuses on university of Pennsylvania swimmer Leah Thomas. “Not men pretending women”.

But on On July 8, shortly after the Missouri Farm Bureau endorsed Hartzler, Trump posted disapproval of candidate on its true social website. “I don’t think she has what it takes to on Radical Left Democrats,” Trump tweeted.

“Maybe he heard some lie from my opponents’ Hartzler suggested. in Interview on Friday, after meeting restaurant in Missouri conservative Heel region.

There were about 60 voters. up eat ribs and talk policy at the Hickory Log restaurant, the day after Greitens drew a smaller crowd. While she called Trump’s remarks on January 6 “non-presidential,” voters she says knew she supported him policy agenda.

“His caused my supporters be even more energized,” Hartzler said. of Trump’s statement. “They overwhelmingly said, ‘Obviously he’s not know you. We know you and us want to fight Even harder for you.”

As the primary process approached, Schmitt checked more of Trump boxes. After stopping on Wednesday restaurant in Columbia, and after dodging questions about whether McConnell, whom Trump criticized, was should remain Republican Party leader in Senate, Schmitt took in the same position as Trump, Greitens, Hartzler and McCloskey. There was a time for McConnell leaves.

“Mitch McConnell doesn’t support me and I don’t support him,” Schmitt told reporters after the stop at restaurant in Colombia. The Senate needednew leadership, he added, the Republican Party had “changed pretty dramatic” since the 80s, old McConnell got into the Senate.

How Schmitt and Greitens touted Trump’s words on On Tuesday, other Missouri Republicans smiled. Hartzler congratulated comedian Eric McElroy who filed for Senate race but ran out of sight campaign. “Him big night!” Hartzler said in statement.

Pro Tem State Senate President Dave Schatz, whose campaign for the seat got a little traction, kidding on Twitter that his name is Eric and it was an “honor and humiliation” to get the nod.

Josh Dawsey contributed to this report.

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