Missouri Republican Rep. Ann Wagner is in trouble in what was once considered a safe GOP seat as she seeks a fifth term on Capitol Hill against Democratic state Sen. Jill Schupp.
Wagner, 58, was first elected by Missouri’s wealthy, suburban 2nd Congressional District in 2012, winning her race to represent the areas south and west of St. Louis by 23 percentage points. Each cycle, though, has become more competitive for the incumbent, including in 2018, when she emerged the victor by fewer than 15,000 votes.
But 2020 is her closest contest yet, rated a Republican toss-up by the Cook Political Report.
Some internal polls reveal that the former GOP National Committee chairwoman and U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg is tied with Schupp, 65, before their Nov. 3 election. And Schupp raised $2.1 million by the end of July to Wagner’s $3.3 million.
Wagner has been criticized as a reliable Republican vote after she withdrew her endorsement of President Trump in 2016 before offering it to him again. On Capitol Hill, she’s joined efforts to repeal parts of Obamacare, instead supporting the Lower Cost, More Cures Act aimed at decreasing drug prices.
Schupp, a former state House lawmaker and councilor, has received scrutiny over her crime bill record as concerns about racial injustice and police brutality stir social unrest around the country.
Schupp has also been forced to distance herself from backing Missouri statehouse “Medicare for all” bills in 2011 and 2012, which were unsuccessful measures imploring Congress to enact the Improved and Expanded Medicare for All Act. She endorses a public option.
