Bailey wins first election as Missouri attorney general in Republican primary
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Republican candidate Andrew Bailey claimed his first election victory as attorney general in Tuesday's primaries.
Bailey told supporters gathered at Stoney Creek Inn in Columbia that his opponent, Will Scharf, had conceded defeat in the Republican primary. The announcement came early in the night as the vote tally came in.
"This is not the beginning of the end, but this is the end of the beginning," Bailey told the cheering crowd at his watch party. "We've got a lot of hard work in front of us, but we faced the enemy, rose to the occasion, met our challenger, and are victorious."
Bailey vowed that as long as he is attorney general, victims of violent crime will always have a voice.
"Your rights will be respected as we prosecute criminals and hold wrongdoers accountable to keep Missouri streets safe," said Bailey.
Bailey said he wants voters to know he's fighting and winning for them again.
"You've seen a 133% increase in criminal prosecutions from my office since I took over, 97 complete defense verdicts in our civil law case, $32 million in settlements in judgments, Markets for protection division," said Bailey. "These are real, tangible results. This is the Show-Me State, results matter and we're delivering."
Bailey said it was humbling to have Missourians from all four corners of the state show support for him. He also stated he expected to win.
"Look, I expected to win, I expected to run on a record, we put together an 18-month-- 19-month record of solid wins for the people of this state," Bailey said. "And people know me and understand what I'm about and my history, and I think people were excited about that. The wins we've been able to accomplish at the attorney General's office."
Bailey posted to X on Tuesday morning about the primary election, urging voters to get to the polls to cast their ballots.
"It's Primary Day, Missouri! Voting today is imperative, but it’s not enough to just cast your own ballot," Bailey wrote. "We need EVERYONE to stand up and fight with us. Your voice matters, but it becomes even louder when you bring others with you. Grab a friend, a family member, or a neighbor and take them to the polls. We must make sure that everyone who cares about keeping Missouri strong and free has their say!"
🚨 It’s Primary Day, Missouri! 🇺🇸
— Andrew Bailey (@AndrewBaileyMO) August 6, 2024
Voting today is imperative, but it’s not enough to just cast your own ballot. We need EVERYONE to stand up and fight with us. Your voice matters, but it becomes even louder when you bring others with you.
Grab a friend, a family member, or a…
Bailey ran against first-time politician Scharf. He voted Tuesday morning at the Rhineland Fire Department in Montgomery County.
Bailey took the Attorney General's Office after Eric Schmitt was elected into the Senate in 2023.
Bailey's election campaign prioritized combating crime, consumer protection, protecting the rights of Missourians and immigration.
His endorsements include Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, Sen. Josh Hawley, Gov. Mike Parson, Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, the National Rifle Association, the Missouri Fraternal Order of Police and the Missouri Farm Bureau.
In a recent interview with ABC 17 News, Bailey said the attorney general's role is "the law firm for the people and state of Missouri." He said the office fights to put crime-doers in jail and keep them locked up and finding justice for victims.
Bailey said he wants to ensure the Consumer Protection Division is working, and that Missouri consumers are not being defrauded by bad business practices. Last year, the AG's office recovered $32 million in settlements and judgments.
Bailey formerly worked as chief counsel to the governor's office. Before that, he was an assistant prosecutor in Warren County.
