State Rep. Sara Walsh withdraws from Missouri's 4th congressional district race

Columbia Daily Tribune
·2 min read
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State Rep. Sara Walsh, R-Ashland, thanks her supporters Nov. 4, 2020, at the Boone County Republican election watch party at the Stoney Creek Inn after winning her race.
State Rep. Sara Walsh, R-Ashland, thanks her supporters Nov. 4, 2020, at the Boone County Republican election watch party at the Stoney Creek Inn after winning her race.
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State Rep. Sara Walsh withdrew Monday from Missouri's 4th congressional district race.

Walsh, R-Ashland, who was running to replace U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler, cited the recently approved new congressional map that is primed to move her current constituents in Missouri's 50th House District to the 3rd congressional district.

"The newly drawn district that removes my strongest base of support has a severe impact on the chances of success for my campaign," Walsh wrote in a statement. “... In good conscience, I cannot continue to ask for sacrificial contributions ... when my campaign may not be victorious due to the new Congressional District map.

“Therefore, it is with a somber heart that I announce that I am withdrawing my candidacy for Congress."

Her decision also follows the death of her husband, Steve, last August after a battle with COVID-19.

More: Steve Walsh, husband of State Rep. Sara Walsh, dies after battle with COVID-19

Near the end of last July, the couple, outspoken about being unvaccinated, caught the virus. Her husband died from complications related to the virus Aug. 19. She also displayed symptoms but recovered.

After a brief pause, Walsh pressed on with her campaign.

"After a time of grief and prayer, I continued onward, partly in memory of my husband and partly to continue the race set before me — to continue fighting for God and Country like we did our entire marriage," she wrote.

More: Sara Walsh continues run for Congress after death of husband

In her current post representing House District 50, Walsh represents residents of southern Boone County as well as parts of Cooper, Moniteau and Cole counties.

"My current constituents are among my strongest supporters and dear friends and I was eagerly looking forward to representing them on a greater scale at the federal level, along with everyone else in Missouri's 4th Congressional District," she wrote.

A congressional map given initial approval by the Missouri House on May 9, 2022. It's the latest iteration of new district lines by a legislature that is the last in the U.S. to approve a plan.
A congressional map given initial approval by the Missouri House on May 9, 2022. It's the latest iteration of new district lines by a legislature that is the last in the U.S. to approve a plan.

The Missouri Legislature last week passed a new congressional map moving Walsh and her current constituents into the 3rd congressional district.

Despite the impact on her campaign, Walsh voted in favor of the new map, she wrote.

"I believe it was good for conservatives and good for Missouri," she wrote.

She recommended her supporters consider voting for one of several other Republicans who have filed for the Aug. 2 primary.

"(The race) will be won in the primary as it is a strong Republican district," she wrote.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: State Rep. Sara Walsh withdraws from Missouri's 4th district elections