Andrew Bailey Emerges As The Victorious Candidate In The Missouri Republican Ag Primary Election.

Jefferson City, Missouri – Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has successfully defended his position in an intense primary challenge and will be seeking re-election this November. Bailey expressed his victory as a strong message to the nation, emphasizing that Missouri is not up for sale. He extended his gratitude to the hardworking Missourians who relentlessly supported him over the past year and a half, attributing their dedication and passion as the driving force behind his remarkable triumph. Bailey vowed to work together with them to ensure that Missouri remains strong, safe, and free.

In November 2022, Bailey was appointed as Missouri’s top law enforcement official after Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) was elected to Congress in the same month. Now, Bailey will run for a full term against Elad Gross in the upcoming November elections. Gross, an Assistant Attorney General under former AG Chris Koster, secured the Democratic Party’s nomination for Missouri attorney general without facing any opponents.

With the primary elections behind him, Bailey enters the November elections with a significant advantage over his Democratic contender. It is worth noting that no Democrat has won a statewide election in Missouri since former State Auditor Nicole Galloway in 2018. Currently, the Republican Party controls the executive branch and both houses of the Missouri legislature.

The final result of the primary elections marked the end of a contentious and personal campaign, inundated with attack ads targeting both Bailey and his opponent, Will Scharf. These ads were funded by outside organizations aligned with either campaign. Scharf, an attorney affiliated with the James Otis Law Group LLC, challenged Bailey for the state executive branch office, with the support of national conservative power players. Notably, Scharf was endorsed by influential organizations such as the Club for Growth, while his allied PAC, Defend Missouri, received financial backing from conservative activist Leonard Leo and Republican megadonor Paul Singer.

Reflecting on the campaign, Scharf explained that his primary goal was to challenge the current political establishment in Missouri, which he believes is severely flawed. He expressed his belief that Missourians deserve much better government than they have been receiving, citing the feedback he received during his travels throughout the state. Scharf conveyed hope that the Republican slate of candidates would deliver for Missouri conservatives in the years to come, concluding his concession statement.

Bailey secured endorsements from leading Missouri Republicans including Governor Mike Parson, Senator Eric Schmitt, and Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.). Throughout his campaign, Bailey emphasized his socially conservative platform, highlighting his accomplishments and legal actions while serving as Missouri’s Attorney General. On the other hand, Scharf, who previously worked with former President Donald Trump’s legal team, positioned himself as Trump’s attorney and criticized Bailey for what he claimed were mishandled cases and weak leadership in the attorney general’s office.