'A Bloody Republican Primary'
Newsweek Europe|July 29, 2022
Missouri, which once elected a dead man to the Senate, is living up to its reputation for messy elections
By Steve Friess
'A Bloody Republican Primary'

AS ALLEGATIONS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE AGAINST the already scandal-ridden GOP front runner Eric Greitens roil the Republican field, things are looking up for Democrats in Missouri’s wild race for the U.S. Senate. That includes Lucas Kunce, a 39-year-old square-jawed war veteran with progressive views and a folksy manner, who wasted no time on a recent campaign tour insisting to skeptical crowds that, yes, against all odds in this deeply red state, he really can win—first, the Democratic nomination in Missouri’s primary on August 2 and then in the general election on November 8.

“We started 20 points behind Eric Greitens, and in a Republican poll a couple months ago, we were just 1.9 points behind him,” Kunce bellowed at a midday rally last month in scorching 100-degree heat during a swing through the state’s rural southeast Bootheel region. “And that was before the child abuse and spousal abuse allegations came out.”

Kunce, dressed in a simple tee-shirt that suited both his populist image and a physique honed by 13 years in the Marines, then added: “Our message is making a difference. It’s actually reaching people.”

Maybe. Or maybe, as many political observers say, Kunce’s rising popularity in the polls is due in large part to the messy drama that is the Republican field—the latest development being the launch of a super PAC by GOP insiders designed to thwart former governor Greitens’ bid to be the party’s nominee. By all signs, no Democrat should have a serious chance of becoming the next Show-Me State senator, especially not with the national mood so sour about President Joe Biden’s handling of the economy. Missouri, after all, went for Donald Trump by double digits in both 2016 and 2020. Yet analysts familiar with state politics agree that Kunce or one of the other 10 Democrats running for the Senate has a real shot.

This story is from the July 29, 2022 edition of Newsweek Europe.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the July 29, 2022 edition of Newsweek Europe.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM NEWSWEEK EUROPEView All
Bridget Everett
Newsweek Europe

Bridget Everett

BRIDGET EVERETT NEVER THOUGHT SHE'D BE THE LEAD OF A TV SHOW. \"I come from the downtown world in New York, a cabaret singer, and these things just don't happen, you don't find yourself with three seasons of HBO.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 08, 2024
Amber Ruffin
Newsweek Europe

Amber Ruffin

A LATE-NIGHT COMEDY SHOW ON CNN? YES, and it's a game show, too.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 08, 2024
Lights, Camera, Civil Rights Action
Newsweek Europe

Lights, Camera, Civil Rights Action

Legendary director Spike Lee tells Newsweek about promoting social justice through his storytelling and why he's been urging people to get out and vote

time-read
6 mins  |
November 08, 2024
AMERICA'S BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE 2025
Newsweek Europe

AMERICA'S BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE 2025

CUSTOMER SERVICE IS A CORNERSTONE OF A GREAT SHOPPING experience.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 08, 2024
TACKLE THE ISSUE: AHEAD OF THE GAME
Newsweek Europe

TACKLE THE ISSUE: AHEAD OF THE GAME

A third of former NFL players believe they have a chronic brain condition linked to football. A new blood test could help

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 08, 2024
RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR Murder on the Front Line
Newsweek Europe

RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR Murder on the Front Line

Russian troops killing more and more Ukrainian captives, in breach of the Geneva Conventions, is a bloody new tactic in the ongoing conflict

time-read
6 mins  |
November 08, 2024
George Lopez
Newsweek Europe

George Lopez

GEORGE LOPEZ HAS DONE A LOT IN HIS LONG CAREER. BUT NOW, WITH NBC's Lopez vs Lopez, George knows what's most important \"is the people you get to be around and get to talk to.\"

time-read
2 mins  |
November 01, 2024
Asher Grodman
Newsweek Europe

Asher Grodman

ASHER GRODMAN IS PERFECTLY FINE PLAYING a ghost on CBS' Ghosts who walks through the afterlife without any pants. \"I don't really want to die in the state that Trevor died.

time-read
1 min  |
November 01, 2024
Last Rodeo for 'Yellowstone'
Newsweek Europe

Last Rodeo for 'Yellowstone'

The hit TV series is set to conclude without main man Kevin Costner, but his onscreen son Luke Grimes is convinced viewers will be surprised and satisfied by the season finale

time-read
6 mins  |
November 01, 2024
SURVEY SAYS...
Newsweek Europe

SURVEY SAYS...

Exclusive polling for Newsweek on key issues highlights where presidential candidates DONALD TRUMP and KAMALA HARRIS need to win votes to succeed to the White House

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 01, 2024