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Randles campaigns with Iowa LG Reynolds

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Bev Randles, a Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, campaigned in three Missouri towns Saturday with Iowa’s Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds. The Randles campaign stopped in Columbia to attend the Boone County Country Ham Breakfast, which is part of the county fair, before speaking in Ellisville and Springfield.

Reynolds spoke about what inspired her to endorse Randles, the former chair of the Missouri Club for Growth, and join her on the trail.

“I was so impressed by her passion to really serve Missourians, her vision for the state and her role as lieutenant governor when she’s hopefully elected,” Reynolds said. “After hearing her story, she was just an inspiration, I think the American dream that you can do or be anything you want to be if you set your sights on it.”

Reynolds has served as Iowa’s lt. governor since 2011. She’s also relatively familiar with the Missouri — she attended Northwest Missouri State University from 1977-1980 and two of her grandchildren have been born in Missouri. Reynolds believes Missouri and Iowa share a lot of similarities which she hopes will help her connect with Missourians to get them excited about Randles.

“We’re the heartland of America,” she said. “This is where it happens.”

For her part, Randles said she felt “very confident” that she would win her primary election over state Sen. Mike Parson, R-Bolivar. Polls have shown that the two are neck and neck, but she says that high turnout and support at her events have her enthusiastic about Aug. 2.

“We’ve been working very hard,” Randles said. “I’ve been on the campaign trail for a year and a half now, and with every passing month, the enthusiasm grows.”

The winner of the Republican primary will likely face former U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan as the Democratic opponent in the general election. Retired teacher and musician Winston Apple and Rep. Tommie Pierson, D-St. Louis, are also vying for the seat.