Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey on Tuesday night repelled a fierce challenge from Trump attorney Will Scharf in the Republican primary.
It was the first time voters had a say in Bailey’s performance: He was appointed to the post in 2022 after Eric Schmitt left for the Senate.
Interestingly, Trump endorsed both Bailey and her attorney Scharf in the race.
“This victory is for the working people of Missouri who have fought tirelessly alongside me for the past 18 months,” Bailey wrote on X in announcing the win. “Their dedication and passion have been the driving force behind this incredible triumph. Together, we WILL keep Missouri strong, safe, and free.”
Meanwhile, Scharf conceded defeat and backed Bailey.
‘Tonight we fell short. We always knew that challenging an incumbent and the Jefferson City establishment would be difficult, and despite the tremendous grassroots energy around our campaign, Andrew Bailey has certainly earned a full term in office. He has my wholehearted support in the general election, and I look forward to him making Missouri proud for years to come.’
Both Missouri senators, Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt, congratulated Bailey on her victory.
In the race for governor, Donald Trump has endorsed three of the nine candidates in the race: Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe and state Sen. Bill Eigel. Republican Gov. Mike Parson is term-limited and cannot seek reelection. That race has not yet been declared a winner.
Despite there being virtually no political differences between Scharf and Bailey, the race has become so intense that it is now one of the most expensive races in the country, at nearly $20 million.
Attorney General Andrew Bailey defends his position
Trump lawyer Will Scharf launches primary challenge to Bailey for Missouri attorney general
“These two men are truly extraordinary in every way, shape, and form,” Trump wrote in his message of support to Truth Social. “I am honored to give Andrew Bailey and Will Scharf my full and complete endorsement. Neither of them will ever let you down!”
Bailey’s record on crime is in the spotlight in a new ad and mailers funded by a political action committee supporting Scharf.
He blames Bailey for the death of police officer Mason Griffith, who was shot and killed in the line of duty in March 2023 at age 34.
Now the widow of the slain police officer is demanding that her late husband be kept out of the controversial campaign while she raises two young children.
Jennifer Griffith says the ads have left her family reeling again and is demanding they stop.
“They are cracking down very hard,” Griffith told DailyMail.com, adding that she had received three mailers, countless phone calls, surveys and text messages containing videos exploiting her husband’s death.
“I have to explain to my son every time he sees an advert on TV why Kenneth Simpson’s face appears on it,” she added, referring to her husband’s alleged killer.
Alleged cop killer Kenneth Simpson had a long history of run-ins with police dating back to 2004. He spent the next decade in and out of prison, according to court records.
The ad focuses primarily on Bailey for his time as a deputy prosecutor in Warren County in 2017, when he handled multiple cases involving Simpson.
Simpson was arrested, charged and released on bail multiple times in the fall of 2017 for allegedly punching his father in the face and possessing brass knuckles, two misdemeanors.
He ended up spending 10 days in jail for illegal possession of drug paraphernalia, according to Bailey’s indictment. A judge sentenced him to another six months for illegal possession of a weapon.
The pro-Scharf PAC’s attack ads and mailers attack Bailey, saying Simpson’s short sentences allowed him to commit more crimes.
“As a prosecutor, Bailey was lenient toward a violent career criminal who once shot at a police car,” the controversial ad states.
“Bailey knew this, and still charged him with simple misdemeanors after he attacked again, and put him out of business within months,” the ad continued.
At the time of the shooting, Simpson was out on bail for crimes that were being prosecuted after Bailey left the prosecutor’s office.
The widow of a slain Missouri police officer is demanding that supporters of Trump attorney Will Scharf, who is running for attorney general, stop throwing her late husband into the middle of his campaign.
Kelly King, Bailey’s successor in the Warren County prosecutor’s office, said she had asked a judge to revoke Simpson’s bail but was denied.
After his arrest for shooting Griffith, Simpson told police he was on the run on several warrants. He told them he thought he was going to die and decided to commit “suicide by cop.”
He is accused of killing police officer Mason Griffith and wounding officer Adam Sullentrup.
Police said Simpson had six felony warrants out of Warren County and one misdemeanor warrant out of Franklin County.
Bailey’s team accuses the pro-Scharf PAC of “exploiting” the tragedy during the campaign.
Scharf, as a candidate, is prohibited from coordinating with PACs like Defend Missouri on messaging or strategy.
