National Republican group drops $1 million into Missouri attorney general race

Republican Josh Hawley’s quest to be Missouri’s next attorney general got a big financial boost this week, as the Republican Attorneys General Association donated $1 million to his campaign.

The Republican Attorneys General Association is a national organization whose mission is electing Republicans attorney general in states around the nation. In a press release announcing the donation, the group’s executive director praised Hawley for “fighting the Obama Administration all the way to the Supreme Court.”

“Missouri is a key state this election cycle and winning this race is a top priority for RAGA,” said Scott Will, RAGA executive director.

Hawley, a law professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia, is no stranger to massive campaign donations. He emerged from a spirited Republican primary thanks in part to $1.75 million in donations from the family of Joplin businessman David Humphreys, including a $1 million check from Humphreys himself. He was also aided by millions in spending by out-of-state groups that purchased TV and radio ads slamming his GOP rival, state Sen. Kurt Schaefer.

He is facing off this November with Teresa Hensley, a former Cass County prosecutor who won the Democratic nomination earlier this month. Hensley was out-raised by her Democratic rival for the nomination, but has since gotten several large checks. That includes $200,000 from the carpenters union; $20,000 from EMILY’s List; and $10,000 from U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill.

This story was originally published August 24, 2016 at 8:25 AM.