Trump endorses “ERIC” in Missouri GOP Senate main. There’s multiple Eric within the race

Former President Donald Trump on the eve of the Missouri primaries gave his much-coveted endorsement within the Republican main for Missouri’s open Senate seat, however there was some confusion about who had been chosen.

“I belief the Nice Folks of Missouri, on this one, to make up their very own minds, a lot as they did once they gave me landslide victories within the 2016 and 2020 Elections, and I’m subsequently proud to announce that ERIC has my Full and Whole Endorsement!” Trump wrote in an announcement Monday evening.

And with that, Trump apparently eradicated anybody within the discipline of 19 who will not be named Eric. There are two main candidates who share the primary title: Legal professional Normal Eric Schmitt and former Legal professional Normal Eric Greitens, and one candidate trailing them.

The semi-endorsement got here as Schmitt has damaged forward in current polls, together with one by Emerson School launched in late July the place he led Rep. Vicky Hartzler by 12 factors. Greitens was third in that ballot.

Greitens, a controversial candidate who resigned in 2018 after a intercourse scandal and misuse of marketing campaign funds, has been dropping within the polls since June after greater than $11 million has been spent on the airwaves by outdoors teams to maintain him from successful the first and doubtlessly placing this state at play in November’s basic election.

Earlier this yr, Greitens’ ex-wife has additionally claimed he abused her and their son, allegations that the Greitens marketing campaign has denied. Sheena Greitens repeated the allegations on Twitter on Monday. 

Shortly after Trump’s assertion, each Greitens and Schmitt claimed to have Trump’s full assist. 

“President Trump has appeared on the candidates and all that is at stake on this race, and he has given me his COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT!” learn a marketing campaign fundraising e-mail from Schmitt.

“Honored to have the assist of President Trump! We’ll MAGA! ” Greitens tweeted. Greitens additionally has ties to Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle, and he tweeted a video of Guilfoyle backing him.

Making issues extra difficult, there’s a third Eric within the race: Eric McElroy. In an announcement, Hartzler stated “Congrats to Eric McElroy. He is having a giant evening.”

Trump stated in July that he explicitly wouldn’t endorse Hartzler.