JEFFERSON CITY — Gov. Mike Parson tops a of 62 state government officials endorsing former President Donald Trump ahead of Missouri’s Republican presidential caucus, the Trump campaign announced Wednesday.
Trump faces former United Nations ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and Florida businessman David Stuckenberg in the caucus, which begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at various locations across the state.
“President Trump has a proven track record of creating good-paying jobs, cutting taxes, and supporting the American Dream for families across the nation,†Parson said in a statement.
People are also reading…
“President Trump is the strongest candidate to take on the do-nothing D.C. establishment and make Joe Biden a one-term president,†the governor said. “I’m proud to support Donald Trump for President of the United States in the Republican primary this weekend and general election this November.â€
Parson is term-limited and in his final year as governor.
Attorney General Andrew Bailey, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, Treasurer Vivek Malek and Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick are also on the endorsement list.
Nine of the state’s 24 Republican state senators are on the list, including Missouri Freedom Caucus members Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring; Denny Hoskins, R-Warrensburg; Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville; Nick Schroer, R-Defiance; and Jill Carter, R-Granby.
Eigel is running for governor, and Hoskins is running for secretary of state.
Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, R-Arnold, who is seeking the GOP nomination to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer in the 3rd Congressional District, is also on the list of Trump endorsers.
Forty-seven of the state’s 111 Republican state representatives are also on the list of Missouri lawmakers endorsing Trump.
Notable names include House Speaker Dean Plocher, R-Des Peres, and House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith, R-Carthage.
Plocher is running for lieutenant governor, and Smith is running for state treasurer.
Bailey originally announced his endorsement of the former president last May.
“As the first Missouri state official to proudly endorse Donald J. Trump, it’s been an honor standing alongside an America First patriot,†Bailey said Wednesday.
Bailey’s primary challenger in the attorney general contest is Will Scharf, who is on the legal team representing Trump in his immunity case, which will go before the U.S. Supreme Court in April.