Republican candidates for Missouri attorney general, Andrew Bailey and Will Scharf, both have ties to the governor’s office. Bailey, the current officeholder, was general counsel for Gov. Mike Parson before being appointed attorney general. Scharf, who previously served as policy director for then-Gov. Eric Greitens, is challenging Bailey in the primary.
Bailey has been endorsed by Parson and Sen. Josh Hawley, while Scharf is part of former President Donald Trump’s legal team. Trump has not yet endorsed either candidate. Both emphasize their connections to Trump in the campaign.
Bailey highlights his record, including legal actions against then-St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner and rules limiting access to gender-affirming health care for transgender individuals. He is also in a legal battle with Washington University’s Transgender Center regarding access to patient information.
Scharf criticizes Bailey’s handling of the office, particularly on issues such as transgender health care and a recent Supreme Court ruling against Missouri. He also questions Bailey’s approach to high-profile cases, such as a lawsuit against Media Matters.
The primary election is scheduled for August 6, with the winner facing Democrat Elad Gross in November. Both Bailey and Scharf are positioning themselves as outsiders challenging the establishment in Jefferson City, with Bailey accusing Scharf of being influenced by special interests in Washington, D.C., and Scharf portraying Bailey as a product of the Jefferson City establishment.
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