Two candidates are running in the August 6 Republican primary for Attorney General of Missouri

Two candidates are running in the Republican primary for Attorney General of Missouri on August 6, 2024—incumbent Andrew Bailey (R) and Will Scharf (R).

The Kansas City Star’s Jonathan Shorman and Kacen Bayless wrote, “With few sharp policy differences, the two candidates are trying to outfox each other in their support for [former President Donald Trump].”

Schmitt and Parson endorsed Bailey. Club for Growth and Attorney General of Texas Ken Paxton (R) endorsed Scharf. As of June 25, the Republican Attorney General Association (RAGA) has not endorsed either candidate in this primary. According to the Associated Press, the organization “normally supports GOP AG incumbents.”

Scharf, an attorney for Trump, said, “I think Missouri Republican primary voters appreciate the work that I’m doing for President Trump and I think know, based on how hard I’ve been fighting for President Trump, I’m always going to fight and win for them.” Meanwhile, Bailey said he plans to sue the state of New York over Trump’s conviction of falsifying business records. He also requested documents from the U.S. Department of Justice regarding the prosecutions of Trump.

Scharf began representing Trump in 2023. Before working for Trump, Scharf was a U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecutor for the Eastern District of Missouri. He also served as policy director for Catherine Hanaway‘s 2016 gubernatorial campaign. Following Hanaway’s defeat in the 2016 Republican primary, Scharf worked as policy director for Eric Greitens‘ 2016 gubernatorial campaign and in his office.

Gov. Mike Parson (R) appointed Bailey as Attorney General of Missouri in 2023 after then-Attorney General Eric Schmitt (R) was elected to the U.S. Senate. Before his appointment, Bailey served in the Governor’s office as Deputy Counsel and General Counsel. His previous legal experience included working as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for the Warren County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and as General Counsel for the Missouri Department of Corrections.

Bailey said, “Missourians deserve to know they have someone willing to step up and fight back against federal government overreach, and that’s exactly what I’ll continue to do. I will always work to hold out-of-touch bureaucrats accountable and defend the rights of hardworking Missourians.”

Scharf said he would “push back against the encroachment of the radical woke left and the overreach of the federal government.” Scharf said he believes that “now, more than ever, Missourians need leaders who will boldly confront these challenges and defend conservative principles without compromise.”