JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Bill Eigel is gaining attention and receiving significant donations in the final days of the Republican primary for Missouri governor.
The senator from Weldon Spring sparked controversy with an ad last week that one Democrat for governor called “racist,” embracing the publicity. A political action committee supporting Eigel has raised over $1.3 million since June 18, bolstering his campaign in the homestretch.
An upset victory by Eigel in the primary would be significant, given Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe’s fundraising dominance and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s strong name recognition.
Ashcroft’s spokesperson mentioned on Thursday that the race has turned into a three-way competition, while the Kehoe campaign pushed back against the idea that Eigel has become a major player.
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“If this is a three-way race, it’s between a thoroughbred, a quarter horse, and a jackass,” said Michael Hafner, spokesperson for the Kehoe campaign, in a text message on Friday.
Former President Donald Trump endorsed all three candidates on Saturday, stating, “Choose any one of them — You can’t go wrong!” on his social media platform, Truth Social.
According to his campaign, Eigel’s message is resonating at the right moment.
Sophia Shore, Eigel’s campaign manager, said on Thursday, “Bill Eigel is the only true conservative in the race for governor, so his message is resonating, and he’s surging at just the right time.”
Jason Cabel Roe, spokesperson for Ashcroft, acknowledged a shift in the race on Thursday but noted that the campaign remains fluid.
Roe mentioned that attacks by the Kehoe campaign against Ashcroft have swayed votes towards Eigel.
Roe described Kehoe as a “big-government, chamber-of-commerce Republican” who seems to have hit a ceiling in his support.
Greater St. Louis Inc., representing St. Louis business groups, endorsed Kehoe in the governor’s race, citing his understanding of the importance of economic growth for the region and the state.
U.S. Rep. Mark Alford of Cass County endorsed Kehoe in the race on Friday, two days after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz endorsed Eigel.
If Kehoe wins the primary and the general election on Nov. 5, he is expected to continue the policies and tone set by current Governor Mike Parson, who has endorsed Kehoe.
Eigel has been seen as a hard-right firebrand, positioning himself against the Republican establishment linked to special interests in the state capital.
Eigel and Ashcroft both criticized Kehoe for skipping a televised debate last week.
The two candidates are also criticizing Kehoe for leasing his campaign bus from a lobbyist for Smithfield Foods, a Chinese-owned company that benefited from changes in Missouri law supported by Kehoe.
Eigel faced controversy last week due to a television ad where he pledged to jail and deport “illegals,” sparking strong reactions.
Democratic rival House Minority Leader Crystal Quade condemned the ad as “racist bigotry,” while Kehoe dismissed it as a stunt to gain publicity.
Eigel used the situation to paint Kehoe as a liberal, accusing Kehoe of “playing the race card” in a news release.
Eigel’s campaign reported that the ad generated over six million organic views online in the last 48 hours, drawing both praise and criticism.
Kehoe suggested that Eigel was seeking attention by stirring controversy and benefiting from media coverage.
