As the White House was struggling to tamp down the controversy over Donald Trump Jr.’s campaign meeting with a Russian lawyer, Vice President Mike Pence was recruiting Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley to enter a Senate race that is one of the Republicans’ best pickup opportunities next year.

“Josh spoke to Vice President Pence this weekend and has been getting a great deal of encouragement to run,” a Hawley spokesman told the Kansas City Star. “He is giving the race serious consideration.”