GLENDALE, Mo. – Conservative State Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Glendale, candidate for state treasurer, has released his first television ad, being the first down ballot television commercial aired of 2016 of any candidate still in the race. The ad will air Tuesday night during the New Hampshire primary results.
The ad highlights Schmitt’s senate career, noting his authoring of a tax cut, pro-life stances, and opposing the Iran Deal and radical Islamic terrorism.
Last week, the candidate released an endorsement list of over 140 Republican leaders around Missouri.
Schmitt does not have any Republican challengers. Pat Contreras, one of Schmitt’s potential opponents in the general election, criticized the ad as a piece of “fear mongering.”
“Islamophobia has no place in Missouri,” Contreras said in a statement. “Instead of talking about all the good that Missouri has to offer and where to lead our state, Eric Schmitt’s new ad is business-as-usual fear mongering showing that he’s out-of-touch with the majority of Missourians. I’ll bring real change in ending financial deserts, making college and housing more affordable, unlike Schmitt’s laundry list of failed attempts at leadership.”
Judy Baker will face Contreras in the Democratic primary.
Schmitt boasts one of the largest campaign war chests in the state, having over $2 million on hand.
Rachael Herndon was the editor at The Missouri Times and also produced This Week in Missouri Politics, published Missouri Times Magazine, and co-hosted the #MoLeg podcast. She joined The Missouri Times in 2014, returning to political reporting after working as a campaign and legislative staffer.
Rachael studied at the University of Missouri – Columbia. She lives in Jefferson City with her husband, Brandon, and their two children.
