Big GOP funders sending millions into Missouri’s attorney general primary

FILE - Republican Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey speaks to reporters after taking the oath of office in Jefferson City, Mo., on Jan. 3, 2023. The Missouri ACLU on Monday, April 24, sued to block new state restrictions on both adults and children seeking gender-affirming health care, which are set to kick in Thursday. They argue that Bailey has no authority to use a state consumer-protection law to regulate gender-affirming care through emergency rule-making. — AP Photo/David A. Lieb, File

Published June 4, 2024 11:26 PM

By GEOFF MULVIHILL
Associated Press

Major Republican campaign funders are investing millions in Missouri’s GOP attorney general primary. Big money groups with connections to key Republican campaign financier Leonard Leo are backing Will Scharf, a lawyer for Donald Trump who is trying to oust sitting AG Andrew Bailey, also a Republican. Both take conservative positions. But Bailey has gone through the Missouri political system while much of Scharf’s career has been in Washington. It’s not unheard of for outside money to boost primary challengers in AG races. Two years ago, a former member of Congress unseated Idaho’s longtime attorney general.

Article Topic Follows: AP Missouri

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