Obama endorses range of Democrats in Kansas and Missouri ... with a notable exception
Former President Barack Obama endorsed eight Democrats in Kansas and Missouri on Friday, backing most of the party’s well-known candidates in the two states.
With one exception: Barbara Bollier, who is running for the open U.S. Senate seat in Kansas against Republican Rep. Roger Marshall.
The Obama seal of approval would not be a net plus for Bollier, a Republican until late 2018 who is pitching her campaign to moderates. Kansas has a long history of Republican lean, as no Democratic presidential candidate has won the state’s vote since 1964.
Obama received just 38% of the Kansas vote — compared to 60% for Mitt Romney — in the 2012 presidential election. He wasn’t close to winning the state in 2008 either, taking 41% of the tally compared to John McCain’s 57%.
Though Kansas’ Senate race appears more competitive than it’s been in decades, Marshall remains favored to win, according to FiveThirtyEight’s Senate forecast.
Obama’s endorsements were comprehensive beyond that: Nicole Galloway (Mo. governor race), Jill Schupp (Mo. 2nd Congressional District), Michelle De La Isla (Kan. 2nd Congressional District) and Sharice Davids (Kan. 3rd Congressional District). In addition, he favored four candidates for Kansas State House: Jo Ella Hoye, Mari-Lynn Poskin, Jennifer Day and Ethan Corson.
“I’m proud to endorse these outstanding Democratic candidates,” Obama said in a statement, “who will work to get the virus under control, rebuild the economy and the middle class, and protect Americans’ health care and preexisting conditions protections from Republican assault.”
This story was originally published September 25, 2020 at 11:02 AM.
