Conservative Groups Invest Millions to Back Will Scharf in Missouri AG Primary

In the lead-up to Missouri's August 6 primary election, conservative groups are channeling millions of dollars to support Will Scharf, a member of former President Donald Trump's legal team, against the incumbent Attorney General Andrew Bailey. This influx of funds highlights the increasing national significance of state attorney general races.

Scharf has secured substantial backing from prominent conservative organizations, including the Club for Growth, which received $1 million from Leonard Leo, a key figure in political funding, and another $1 million from the Concord Fund, part of Leo's network. Additionally, Scharf has secured $1.4 million from investor Paul Singer and $500,000 from the national Club for Growth.

The outcome of the Missouri primary election has significant implications for the state's political environment and could influence the national conservative movement. The winner of the election may use the attorney general's office as a springboard to higher office, potentially shaping the country's political future.

Despite Bailey's conservative actions, such as suing President Joe Biden's administration over policies, these groups are rallying behind Scharf. Bailey, an Army veteran with a long career in Missouri, has expressed surprise at the support Scharf is receiving from out-of-state donors. *"I'm surprised that Wall Street and coastal elites would want to buy an office in Missouri for a New Yorker,"* Bailey remarked.

The primary winner is expected to have a significant advantage in the November general election in the Republican-dominated state. Missouri has a history of its attorneys general moving on to higher political offices, with both current senators having previously served as state AGs.

Scharf's supporters see him as a Federalist Society-connected lawyer with a strong resume, including elite law schools and clerkships with Republican-appointed federal judges. His background aligns with the conservative legal movement's goals, making him a favored candidate among national conservative donors.

In contrast, Bailey has spent nearly his entire career in Missouri, working in the state attorney general's office and serving as an assistant county prosecutor and state government lawyer before being appointed as attorney general by Governor Mike Parson.

The Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) has conspicuously stayed out of the Missouri primary, though some of its major contributors are backing Scharf. This reflects a broader trend where state attorney general races attract significant national attention and funding.

State attorneys general have increasingly taken on nationalized roles, often using their positions to challenge federal policies, especially when the president is from the opposing party. This has made these races more partisan and has heightened the stakes for both parties.

The outcome of the Missouri primary will likely have significant implications for the state's political environment, given the high-profile nature of the attorney general's office and its potential as a springboard to higher office.

Key Takeaways

• Conservative groups are pouring millions into Missouri's AG race to support Will Scharf over incumbent Andrew Bailey.
• Scharf has secured $3.9 million from prominent conservative donors, including the Club for Growth and Paul Singer.
• The winner of the primary is likely to have a significant advantage in the November general election in Republican-dominated Missouri.
• The AG office has been a springboard to higher office for Missouri politicians, including both current senators.
• The race highlights the increasing national significance of state AG races, which are becoming more partisan and attracting national funding.