Former President Donald Trump endorses Kansas AG Derek Schmidt in governor’s race
Former President Donald Trump endorsed Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt in the race for governor on Monday, a move that could foreclose any chance of a late challenge to Schmidt in the Republican primary.
Schmidt doesn’t face a competitive primary after former Gov. Jeff Colyer dropped out last summer. But the candidate filing deadline for the August primary election isn’t until June, leaving time for other hopefuls to jump in.
The attorney general won the endorsement of most prominent Kansas Republican figures as the party consolidated in favor of Schmidt this fall, leaving an extremely difficult path for any new GOP candidates. While no one has publicly discussed entering the race, Trump’s backing of Schmidt is likely to all but end the possibility he faces a credible right-wing opponent.
In a statement, Trump said Schmidt had done an “absolutely outstanding job.”
“He is now running for Governor and will be a popular and very wise choice. Derek is strong on Crime, the Borders, and our always under siege Second Amendment. He loves our Military and our Vets. Derek Schmidt has my Complete and Total Endorsement!” Trump said.
Schmidt said in a statement he was grateful for Trump’s support, “as we work hard to bring pro-America, pro-freedom, pro-family, and pro-jobs policies to the Kansas governor’s office next year.” In 2020, Schmidt supported a lawsuit that sought to overturn presidential election results in key swing states won by President Joe Biden.
If nominated, Schmidt will face Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly in the general election. Trump’s endorsement made no mention of Kelly.
Whether the endorsement translates into other help for Schmidt’s campaign isn’t clear. As president in 2018, Trump traveled to Kansas to campaign for Kris Kobach, the GOP nominee at the time and an early supporter of the New York businessman.
Kelly still defeated Kobach, demonstrating that Trump’s nod, while powerful, wasn’t a golden ticket to general election success.
Trump’s endorsement is likely to prove more important in the Missouri Senate race, where a handful of Republicans are competing intensely for his attention. His support could be enough to send one of them over the top in the primary.
This story was originally published January 3, 2022 at 8:31 AM.
