JEFFERSON CITY — A state representative who was removed from the House Democratic Caucus last month now says she is running for Missouri governor.
Rep. Sarah Unsicker, a Shrewsbury Democrat who had been a candidate for attorney general, posted a written speech on her website Monday that said she was on the steps of the U.S. Capitol to make her announcement.
Announcement:
— Sarah Unsicker (@SarahUnsicker)
Missouri Democrats ousted Unsicker from their caucus after she was accused of spreading an antisemitic accusation that her Jewish political opponent in the race for attorney general was working for the Israeli government.
That followed initial controversy brought on by a photo Unsicker shared of her with conspiracy theorist Eric Garland and Charles Johnson, described by the Anti-Defamation League as a Holocaust denier. In a post Unsicker shared Monday, Garland is listed as her campaign manager.
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If Unsicker files to run in the Democratic primary for governor, she would face House Minority Leader Crystal Quade and Springfield businessman Mike Hamra, both from Springfield.
Quade led the effort to oust Unsicker from the Democratic Caucus, first removing Unsicker from her committee posts in early December.
“The House Democratic Caucus is dedicated to the values of inclusiveness, tolerance and respect. When a member fails to uphold those standards, the caucus has a duty to act,” Quade said in December.
Unsicker said in her announcement speech that she had been punished for pointing out cracks in government.
“Government cannot endure without standing for all people,” she said. “Christ commanded us to stand up for the least among us, and that is a sacred duty that comes before party loyalty.
“It is the reason we need the structure of government. But in Missouri, we have a government that punishes those who protect the vulnerable. That is an international emergency.
“I am running for Governor of Missouri because we must have justice,” she said. “We must have security in our elections. We must have children who can grow up safe, healthy, and happy.”
Unsicker’s campaign profile with the Missouri Ethics Commission on Monday did not yet reflect her pivot to the governor’s race.
Elad Gross, her Democratic opponent in the attorney general’s race, previously said he was very worried for Unsicker and that it wasn’t appropriate for her to continue working as a legislator.
Unsicker, in a video shared on social media Dec. 14, said she had received a “criminal complaint” that alleged Gross had failed to register as a foreign agent for the state of Israel. Unsicker said she had forwarded the complaint to the Missouri secretary of state.
Garland also accused Gross’ mother of working for the Israeli government.
Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s office previously said the Republican’s office was made aware of “election interference claims” by Unsicker, who the office said “provided a third-party narrative statement.”
But Ashcroft reported that “we have not been provided any evidence that even remotely relates to Missouri election interference.”