JEFFERSON CITY — A state lawmaker dropped his bid to represent a swath of mid-Missouri in Congress after former President Donald Trump endorsed one of his foes.
Rep. Justin Hicks, R-Lake Saint Louis, announced Tuesday that he is suspending his campaign to represent the 3rd Congressional District, citing Trump’s decision to support former Sen. Bob Onder, also of Lake Saint Louis.
“I am certain that there will be other opportunities for me to continue to serve our state and nation in the future, but for now, I look forward to spending time with my family and ensuring the Republican team wins up and down the ballot,†Hicks said.
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Hicks, a one-term state representative, had been vying in the Aug. 6 primary to become the Republican who replaces retiring U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, of St. Elizabeth. Luetkemeyer has endorsed former state Sen. Kurt Schaefer, of Columbia, in the race.
Also running in the primary are Chadwick Bicknell, of O’Fallon; Kyle Bone, of De Soto; Arnie Dienoff, of O’Fallon; and Bruce Bowman, of Jefferson City.
The 3rd Congressional District, which spans from St. Charles County to the Lake of the Ozarks, is heavily Republican, and the winner of the primary is favored also to win the Nov. 5 general election.
Federal Election Commission records show Hicks raised $134,000 in the race and spent $57,000.
“As a veteran, I understand that service over self and unity accomplish a team’s goals. Therefore, with respect to President Trump’s recent endorsement in this race, I have decided to step back, suspend my campaign, and honor his decision,†Hicks said.
Hicks was a candidate for reelection to the Legislature before pivoting this year to the congressional race. A Republican challenger in the 108th House District, Max Calfo, published records online last fall that showed Hicks was the subject of a ºüÀêÊÓƵ County protective order in 2010 after his female partner alleged he grabbed her by the neck and attempted to choke her.
Hicks sued Calfo last fall for releasing the records of the restraining order, which had been sealed at Hicks’ request in 2021, but asked a judge to allow him to file the case under seal. Calfo filed a motion to unseal Hicks’ lawsuit against him; a judge agreed to unseal it on April 5. Hicks’ lawsuit was subsequently dismissed on May 17.