Missouri attorney general beats back primary challenge from Trump lawyer

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey fended off a primary challenger Tuesday night as he fights for his first full term, according to Decision Desk HQ. 

Bailey was appointed to the attorney general role by Gov. Mike Parson (R) back in 2022, filling a vacancy after Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) won a seat in the upper chamber. 

With Parson's backing, Bailey defeated Trump attorney Will Scharf, and now has the edge to win the seat in the ruby-red state this fall. 

Both candidates entered Tuesday’s contest with an endorsement from former President Trump, who said in a Truth Social post that “these two men are truly outstanding in every way, shape, and form” and that “neither one will ever let you down.” 

The state-level attorney general race has seen millions of dollars in outside spending as some groups looked to elevate the member of Trump’s legal team over the incumbent, despite Bailey’s record of conservative moves, including filing a lawsuit against Planned Parenthood earlier this year.

Bailey is now set to face Democrat Elad Gross and Libertarian Ryan Munro in the fall.