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Eric Schmitt backs out of Claire McCaskill challenge, citing need for GOP unity

By Steven Nelson
Published August 15, 2017 5:35pm ET
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Eric Schmitt backs out of Claire McCaskill challenge, citing need for GOP unity
Sen. Claire McCaskill, a Democrat first elected in 2006, is seen as vulnerable in a state won by President Trump by nearly 20 percentage points. She was expected to lose in 2012 as well, but a weak candidate, Rep. Todd Akin, emerged from the GOP primary. Republicans would like to avoid that this time around. (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke) | Lauren Victoria Burke

A potential Republican Senate candidate said Tuesday he won’t run, potentially averting a primary clash in Missouri as the GOP seeks to defeat incumbent Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill.

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2018 Elections Claire McCaskill Congress Donald Trump Missouri Steven Nelson Todd Akin