Missouri Treasurer Eric Schmitt traveled to Washington, D.C., on Thursday for meetings to explore a run for Senate in 2018, sources confirmed.
Schmitt, 42, was scheduled to sit down with Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado, chairman of the NRSC, the Senate GOP campaign arm. A meeting with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who is intimately involved in candidate recruitment for the midterm, was tentative.
Senate Republicans are attempting to lure Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley into the race. They need a candidate to take on Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill after Rep. Ann Wagner opted against a Senate bid in favor of seeking re-election to her St. Louis-area House seat.
Hawley is considered the big get, and in recent days fielded a call from Vice President Mike Pence encouraging him to jump in. But some Missouri Republicans believe Hawley is leaning no. He is 37 and has a young family.
Plus, his marquee television ad in his 2016 race for attorney general lampooned politicians who are perpetually seeking higher office, without regard for doing the job they were elected to. However, Hawley has the support of top GOP fundraisers in Missouri and could clear the field if he runs. Without his candidacy, Republicans could face the prospect of a competitive primary.
McCaskill is among the most vulnerable Democratic senators on the 2018 ballot. President Trump’s numbers in the state are solid, continuing to defy national trends.
