The national political climate has given Republicans the chance to put Democratic candidates in their crosshairs. But first, they have to stop firing at each other.
Republican voters will choose Tuesday between John DeStefano and Dr. Rob Schaaf to determine who will face Democratic candidate Martin Rucker for Missouri's 34th district state Senate seat in November.
handbags jEach candidate has attacked the other on issues related to health care. Dr. Schaaf has used newspaper clippings to tie Mr. DeStefano to federal health-care reform. Mr. DeStefano's campaign countered with a challenge to Dr. Schaaf's pro-life credentials, citing campaign donations Dr. Schaaf accepted from groups supportive of stem-cell research.
Missouri Democrats issued a statement last week in an attempt to capitalize on the controversy.
"There is an obvious rift between factions of the Republican Party showing itself in the Senate District 34 primary, and it spells trouble for Republicans," Missouri Democratic Party spokesman Ryan Hobart wrote.
The release cited large campaign contributions Mr. DeStefano has received from Majority Fund Inc., and questioned why the Republican establishment was backing a candidate who lost a 2006 Missouri House race by more than 20 percentage points.
The Majority Fund has donated $113,000 to Mr. DeStefano's campaign since July 15.
Bob Ott, chairman of the Buchanan County Republican Central Committee, said he does not worry about the possibility that voters could become discouraged if the candidate they favor in the primary does not reach the general election. He said both candidates carry strong conservative credentials that will hold curler the party together in November.
"Where the problem appears to be is in specific issues," Mr. Ott said. "Unless those issues are going to be picked up better by the Democratic candidate, there's no reason for a conservative not to vote for the Republican in November."
Clinton Thomas can be reached at .
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