The polls are just hours away from opening for the November 8th general election, and the gubernatorial candidates for Missouri hit the campaign trail in one last final effort to sway voters.
The most recent poll by the Missouri Times shows Eric Greitens leading Chris Koster by just one percentage point, with the margin of error in that poll coming in at 2.38 percent. With numbers that close, the two men are encouraging voters to spread the message to get out and vote.
Both Greitens and Koster spent Monday traveling around the Show Me State, speaking to voters one final time.
Greitens joined up with several Republican candidates throughout the day, making stops at each of the state’s media markets, while Koster hit the four largest cities.
Both candidates started in Columbia, and both finished with one final stop in St. Louis.
Great support in Columbia and Hannibal today. Heading to Kirksville next! pic.twitter.com/JEOrZj1xFy
— Eric Greitens (@EricGreitens) November 7, 2016
Had the chance to drop off donuts for our Columbia office — lucky to be counting on such a great group to get out the vote. #mogov pic.twitter.com/llCykCOU6s
— Chris Koster (@Koster4Missouri) November 7, 2016
Last week, the Humane Society Legislative Fund began putting attack ads against Koster on the radio and in mailboxes.
Today, Bob Baker, the Executive Director of the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation called out the HSLF for the attacks, saying they attack the candidate unfairly on the wrong issues.
“When there is a candidate who has done so much for animals, we don’t think their record should be tarnished, slandered or totally distorted,” he said. “I’m just concerned that voters are going to get the wrong message. HSUS does have some concerns on Koster’s policies are farm animals, but I say examine those issues separately. Don’t tarnish his reputation on puppy mills because you don’t like his position on farm animals.”
The MAAL does not endorse candidates, but Greitens, on the other hand, picked up an endorsement today, in the form of a tweet from Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
Hey Missouri let’s defeat Crooked Hillary & @koster4missouri! Koster supports Obamacare & amnesty! Vote outsider Navy SEAL @EricGreitens!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2016
Koster’s campaign released the following statement after Trump tweeted his support of Greitens:
“Eric has been at Barack Obama’s White House five times and attended the President’s Christmas party. He sat four seats from Claire McCaskill during the 2008 convention. Now he’s supporting a man who attacked a Gold Star family and belittled the disabled. It just shows he has no political backbone and will do and say whatever it takes to help himself. No one knows who Eric Greitens really is, including Eric Greitens.”
You can check out the Missouri Times’ final tip sheet for all of the statewide races here or check out our list of election night watch parties here.
Benjamin Peters was a reporter for The Missouri Times and Missouri Times Magazine and also produced the #MoLeg Podcast. He joined The Missouri Times in 2016 after working as a sports editor and TV news producer in mid-Missouri. Benjamin is a graduate of Missouri State University in Springfield.
