Missouri Republican Senator Josh Hawley is facing significant political challenges ahead of his tough reelection campaign. Recently, two scathing reports from local media outlets have added to his troubles, casting a shadow over his future in the Senate.
On Sunday, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch editorial board delivered a harsh critique of Hawley, endorsing his Democratic challenger, Lucas Kunce, instead. The editorial went as far as labeling Hawley the “worst sitting senator in America right now.” The newspaper pointed to Hawley’s role in the January 6 Capitol insurrection, where he infamously raised his fist in solidarity with rioters before fleeing when the Capitol was breached. According to the editorial, Hawley’s actions on that day alone would warrant his expulsion from the Senate.
In addition to his involvement in January 6, the newspaper criticized Hawley’s record for other reasons, including his opposition to aid for Ukraine, his lack of substantial legislative accomplishments, and his frequent use of populist rhetoric. The editorial board praised Kunce, a Marine veteran and attorney, for his moderate stance on key issues, including his support for red-flag gun laws and universal background checks. They emphasized his experience in defense negotiations with NATO and Russia, offering a stark contrast to Hawley’s controversial stance of supporting Israel over Ukraine.
Kunce’s campaign received a further boost from this endorsement, but Hawley’s troubles didn’t end there. On Monday, a Missouri Independent report revealed that Hawley spent over $132,000 on private jet flights to campaign around Missouri. The revelation is particularly damaging since Hawley criticized his 2018 Democratic opponent, Claire McCaskill, for doing the same. His challenger Kunce, in contrast, has been campaigning in a modest minivan with his family, underscoring the contrast between the two candidates’ campaign approaches.
Hawley’s critics have long pointed to his extreme positions and personal values, including his advocacy for Christian nationalism and his ties to the Alliance Defending Freedom, a far-right legal group. He has also faced embarrassment after misattributing a white nationalist magazine’s words to founding father Patrick Henry and has been accused of stalling bills simply to obstruct President Biden’s agenda. Additionally, Hawley’s recent book Manhood, which promotes traditional masculinity, has drawn mixed reactions.
While Kunce is still trailing in the polls, these recent reports and the backing of Missouri’s largest newspaper could give his campaign much-needed momentum. With the race heating up, the question remains: will these blows be enough to unseat one of the nation’s most polarizing senators?
