The GOP candidate vying to replace outgoing U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, who has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump, will likely sweep the Republican primary, according to a new survey.
A KMOV-sponsored poll found that 57% would vote for a Trump-endorsed candidate.
“I think there are still people vying for a Trump endorsement,” said Jean Evans, a former state representative and executive director emeritus of the Missouri Republican Party. “I don't know if that's coming, but I think if any of the top three candidates were to get an endorsement from Trump, that's worth several points in a tight race.”
The survey found that former Missouri Governor Eric Greitens currently has 26% of the vote followed by current Attorney General Eric Schmitt with 17% and U.S. Representative Vicky Hartzler with 11%.
However, Evans said that Greitens' candidacy is concerning to some Republicans.
“He has the poorest showing and polling that we've seen against Democrats, and he energizes people on the other side to vote against him,” she said. “I've heard personally from many Democrats who say they are going to flip over and switch in the primary and vote for Eric Greitens because they think it's their only chance to win statewide with their Senate candidates.”
Greitens allegedly sexually assaulted a mistress and violated campaign finance rules in 2018. He subsequently resigned as governor. More recently, Greitens was accused of abusing his ex-wife and children, according to media reports.
“The other concern is the fact that he could win the primary and the general election and then we, as a state, would be represented by someone who's been credibly accused of sexual assault, of assaulting his wife and his children, as well as stealing from a charity,” Evans said. “There are a lot of things about his behavior that voters find disturbing and they don't want him to be representing them in DC.”
The primary is set for Aug. 2; the general election is Nov. 8.
“For Hartzler, she’s been getting people around the state who aren't from her district to know her and for Schmitt, it’s about getting out of St. Louis and spending more time in other places,” Evans added. “For both of them, it’s about making sure statewide that people know who they are and what they stand for. Folks want you to come to their local Lincoln day dinner or festival county fair. They are doing the hard work and that's what it takes. You’ve got to go out and meet the voters in Missouri because Missouri is the Show-Me state.”