Josh Hawley endorses Vicky Hartzler for Missouri's open U.S. Senate seat

Missouri's soon-to-be senior senator has weighed in on the race to fill the state's open seat this year — U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler.

U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley on Saturday endorsed Hartzler in her campaign to succeed U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, making the announcement at the Missouri Republican Party's annual Lincoln Days event in St. Charles.

"For almost a year I've been asked who I intend to vote for in a (Missouri Senate) primary this August," Hawley wrote on Twitter. "Well, I've made up my mind. I'll be supporting Vicky Hartzler. Vicky has the integrity, the heart and the toughness to represent MO. I can't wait to work with her."

Hartzler, who currently represents parts of western and mid-Missouri in the House, wins Hawley's endorsement in a crowded Republican primary field.

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Her competitors include former Gov. Eric Greitens, Attorney General Eric Schmitt, U.S. Rep. Billy Long, Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz and Mark McCloskey.

In a recent opinion column for the News-Leader, Hawley and Hartzler called for a ban on stock trading in Congress as Capitol Hill continues negotiations on legislation dealing with the issue.

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Hartzler's campaign entered 2022 with the most money on hand of any in the election, carrying $1.78 million after raising just over $425,000 last quarter.

Galen Bacharier covers Missouri politics & government for the News-Leader. Contact him at gbacharier@news-leader.com, (573) 219-7440 or on Twitter @galenbacharier.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Hawley endorses Vicky Hartzler in Missouri U.S. Senate race