JEFFERSON CITY — While his opponents seek the backing of former President Donald Trump, one Republican candidate for Missouri’s U.S. Senate seat is harkening back to a politician whose tenure ended in the 1980s.
As part of a branding effort heading toward the crowded Aug. 2 primary election, Missouri Senate President Dave Schatz is calling himself an acolyte of Ronald Reagan, hoping to appeal to voters who might prefer less bombastic political leaders.
Schatz, R-Sullivan, launched a statewide tour Tuesday beginning on the steps of the Missouri Capitol. He spoke to reporters at a lectern with a “Return to Reaganism†sign on it.
“I’m a proud product of the Reagan revolution and I’m here to say it’s time to return to Reaganism. First, we must restore Reagan’s 11th commandment, which says, ‘Thou shall not speak ill of fellow Republicans,’†Schatz said.
People are also reading…
His remarks came as candidates, social media companies, political organizations and lobbying groups have slammed former Gov. Eric Greitens for a video released Monday in which he calls his opponents Republicans in name only and calls on his supporters to hunt them.
Greitens later said the video was meant to be humorous.
“Reagan called for peace among Republicans. Greitens is calling for war,†Schatz said. “We should reward optimism over fear.â€
Reagan, who served two terms as president more than 35 years ago, is known for tax cuts, economic deregulation and opposition to labor unions.
The tour is designed to boost Schatz’s low polling numbers against Greitens, Attorney General Eric Schmitt, U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler and U.S. Rep. Billy Long.
Schatz has already spent more than a half a million dollars of his own money purchasing television ads primarily directed at adult audiences 35 and older in the ºüÀêÊÓƵ media market.
Along with serving as the leader of the Senate, Schatz owns an underground utility installation company.
His ads cast him as a blue-collar candidate as he drives a company truck.
As president of the Missouri Senate, Schatz butted heads this spring with members of a conservative faction of Republicans.
He said the tension that often brought business in the upper chamber to a grinding stop did not affect the outcome of the legislative session.
“I’m no stranger to the conflict that is inside of our own caucus. But I had an open door and worked well with them. Again, not inciting violence, calling names and picking fights with them was not a solution in getting things done,†he said. “It was embracing and talking and working on ideas as the way to get things accomplished.â€
Schatz also said his support for raising Missouri’s gasoline tax was not an indication that his beliefs don’t align with Reagan’s tax-cutting philosophy.
Rather, he said the gas tax increase was an investment in the state’s future that will be paid for by users of the infrastructure.
Schatz has been critical of Greitens, calling on him to end his campaign in March after his ex-wife accused him of abuse.
He repeated that call Tuesday, saying Greitens is too divisive to adequately serve the people of Missouri.
“We must reject this nonsense. Missouri deserves better,†Schatz said.
Posted at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 21.