When New Haven Alderman Tim Otten posted on his Facebook page the news that Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced a bid for Senate, his constituents were largely critical.
Frances Rouse wrote, "I guess that’s why he doesn’t have time to address the natural gas price gouging," while Carol J Hebbeler stated, "And still silent on the natural gas price gouging in February?” while Ashley Dodson posted, "That's why he doesn't have time to look into the natural gas price gouging."
As previously reported in the St. Louis Record, GOP Representative Aaron Griesheimer (District 61) sent a letter signed by 80 elected officials asking Schmitt to step in and investigate the natural gas shortage, which resulted in a quadruple increase in the price. But Schmitt’s office has only promised to research the issue, acording to his critics.
“He is a very controversial figure among all Missourians,” said Ken Warren, Ph.D., and professor of political science at Saint Louis University. “He's popular enough still in the Republican party, but quite disliked by Democrats in particular, not that Republicans are normally loved by Democrats but this is worse.”
Schmitt announced last week that he intends to run for the seat of Sen. Roy Blunt in the 2022 election, which would pit him against former Gov. Eric Greitens, a fellow Republican, and possibly others.
Greitens was charged with felony invasion of privacy and computer tampering in 2018 and the Missouri legislature considered impeaching Greitens but he resigned from office before they could do so.
“He negotiated the charges being dropped in exchange for his resignation but he claims to be cleared of all charges,” said a former GOP state representative who asked not to be identified. “He's not been cleared of anything but his talking points resonate with people that liked him and supported him the first time around. We have a segment within the Republican voting populace that generally doesn't believe anything that is credible. They don't do research.”
If Greitens were to win the 2022 GOP primary, Democrats could viably have an advantage, according to the former GOP state representative who was active within the Missouri House Republican Campaign Committee.
"The Democrats could potentially win the Senate seat with a credible candidate and with the Senate essentially being a 50/50 split, Republicans are obviously trying to hold everything that we've got to pick up a seat," he said. "Greitens jeopardizes that."
Although Schmitt has an early edge due to the fact that he holds a statewide office and is not battling a scandal, Warren says the election is too far into the future to predict.
“It’s a year and a half away and anything can happen,” Warren told the St. Louis Record. “Other people can jump in the race. For example, Ann Wagner or Jason Smith. It's sometimes hard to keep these people out of the race when they really want to run.”
Wagner currently represents the 2nd Congressional district while Smith represents the 8th Congressional district.
“My personal belief is that I don't think Eric Schmitt ultimately will file for U.S. Senate when filing opens up next February,” the former state representative turned political consultant told St. Louis Record. “His campaign rollout has been very lackluster and kind of poorly received. I think Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler and Congressman Jason Smith are probably the two most likely to get in the race still.”
Hartzler is currently serving as the U.S. Representative for Missouri's 4th congressional district.
Despite the competition in the GOP field, Warren perceives state Republicans to be in much better shape than the state Democratic party.
“Right now, the Democrats have nothing except former Senator Scott Sifton but big deal,” Warren said. “There are 34 state senators and people don't even know their own state senators, let alone people outside of Scott Sifton’s district. That's going to be a serious problem for Democrats. Claire McCaskill would have a good chance of beating Greitens if she ran but probably not Smith.”
Claire McCaskill (D) was a Missouri senator for two terms and served as state auditor from 1999 to 2007 while scott Sifton (D) was a Missouri Senate for the 1st district from 2013 to 2021.