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President Trump endorses Parson for governor: ‘He gets it!’

Gov. Mike Parson has the president in his corner as he campaigns for a full term as governor. 

President Donald Trump, also a Republican, endorsed Parson for governor on social media Tuesday night. Parson only just officially launched his gubernatorial campaign from his hometown of Bolivar Sunday.  

“I am pleased to endorse Governor Mike Parson of Missouri. He is very Popular, Strong, and knows what he is doing — he gets it! Based on the fact that Mike has announced he will run again in 2020 for Governor, Mike Parson has my Complete and Total Endorsement,” Trump said on Twitter. 

The Parson campaign promoted the endorsement in fundraising emails Tuesday night. And Parson’s personal Twitter account followed up: “It’s an honor to have the support from President [Trump] – such an important election in November 2020, our country and state is headed in the right direction!”

Shortly after Parson became Missouri’s governor — following the resignation of Eric Greitens — he traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with Trump and Cabinet members, advocating for some of his top priorities as chief executive: infrastructure and workforce development. 

“The president seemed to be very engaged and listened to some of our issues and some of our problems and was trying to work with us,” Parson reportedly said after the meeting. 

And in 2018, Trump traveled to Missouri to campaign for now-U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley as he worked to unseat Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill. 

Parson faces a Democratic challenger in his quest to remain governor in State Auditor Nicole Galloway. Republican Rep. Jim Neely has also launched a longshot primary challenge

“Missouri families can’t afford four more years of Governor Parson. Nearly 100,000 kids have lost their health coverage, rural hospitals continue to close, school districts are going to four-day weeks, and gun violence is ripping our communities apart,” Galloway said following Parson’s announcement. 

Parson has also been raking in the donations following the official launch of his campaign. Most notably, Herzog Contracting — which has financially backed Greitens — gave $250,000 for Parson’s war chest earlier this week. Other large donations made since the last filing deadline include: Rivertown Enterprises, Rightchoice Managed Care, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City have all donated $25,000; Ketchmark & McCreight PC and William Darr contributed $50,000; and CL PAC pitched in $75,000.