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Parkinson drops senate bid, endorses Eigel, attacks Zerr

ST. CHARLES, Mo. – State Rep. Mark Parkinson has dropped his bid for SD23, endorsing Republican candidate Bill Eigel and attacking Republican House colleague Anne Zerr.

Parkinson currently has $59k on hand, $50k of which is a self-loan.

Parkinson’s full statement:

“When I entered office in 2008, I swore an oath to uphold the laws of Missouri, and I promised my neighbors that I would always do my best to ensure they were represented in the General Assembly by someone who held their values, respected their beliefs, and followed their wishes.

“Nearly eight years later, I can hold my head high and say that I have fulfilled that promise.  Together, we sent a message to Jefferson City: protect Missouri jobs, protect Missouri life, and protect Missouri pocketbooks.  In an era where it seems like many of our politicians are willing to say or do anything to get the large campaign contributions, I was willing to forego begging for their money.  Instead, I bought 17 different pairs of walking shoes, and went door to door to ask for your vote.  Not only did you respond, but you humbled me by giving me some of the largest margins of victory in Missouri.  I am grateful for that support beyond what words can say.

Parkinson
Parkinson

“But that promise to my neighbors still remains, and this race is different.  Our Senate district is lucky to have two strong conservative candidates in myself and Bill Eigel.  Unfortunately, the two of us have to compete with the union-bought and union-financed Anne Zerr.  Over her time in office, she has made it clear that her legislative agenda will go to the highest bidder.  She has supported liberal Democrats, not just with her vote but by actively telling people to support Democrats over Republicans.  She has squashed bills of political opponents, despite the good that they might do, to the benefit of her donors.  And she has worked hard to put tax hikes on the ballot, despite the wishes of her constituents.

“Let me put it this way—Anne Zerr is a pro-tax, pro-spending, anti-family values candidate who has consistently sold out her constituents, who has taken numerous opportunities to stump for liberal causes throughout the state, and whose presence in the Republican Party is an embarrassment to our conservative principles and ideology.

“Because of her willingness to sell out her constituents, she also has enough funding to make it difficult for one conservative candidate to beat her.  With two conservatives running, it would split the vote and hand her the election. My ego is not big enough to do so.

“Ensuring that she does not get promoted to the Missouri Senate is one of the most important tasks facing conservatives in 2016.  Therefore, I have decided that I will not seek election to the Missouri Senate in 2016, and am throwing my full support and endorsement to Bill Eigel.

“Bill is an excellent businessman who conservatives can trust to make the right decisions in office—as is evidenced by the support of several leading conservative organizations and individuals throughout Missouri.  Bill is a military veteran as well, who understands as much as I do the ethos of service above self.  I have no reservations about my support of Bill.  I look forward to vigorously working over the coming months to ensure he is the Republican nominee for our Senate district, and am asking my loyal supporters will do the same.