This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, July 24, 2012 - Conservative icon Phyllis Schlafly and the group she founded, Eagle Forum, are jumping into Missouri’s top two statewide contests with endorsements for U.S Rep. Todd Akin for the U.S. Senate and Fred Sauer for governor.
Both men are social conservatives involved in spirited Republican primaries on Aug. 7.
Schlafly praised Akin as “a principled leader who has championed the issues of pro-life, traditional marriage, and sound economics all through his years of service in the Missouri state legislature and in Congress. His convictions are strong because he lives them out in his daily life. Todd's leadership, respect for our Constitution, and common sense are exactly what we need fighting for us in the U.S. Senate."
Akin, R-Wildwood, is competing against former state Treasurer Sarah Steelman and St. Louis businessman John Brunner. The primary victor will challenge U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., this fall.
Akin’s campaign said that Schlafly’s support “adds great weight to the authentic conservative credentials of this campaign.”
Her support comes as Akin has been reeling from political attacks from Brunner and McCaskill, as well as public talk within his own party that Democrats want him to win the primary because they see Akin as the weakest opponent against McCaskill.
Sauer’s campaign also lauded Schlafly’s support. He is competing against Kirkwood businessman Dave Spence and consultant and pastor Bill Randles in the state GOP primary for governor. The winner will face Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat, this fall.
In its endorsement statement, Eagle Forum cited Sauer’s opposition to the Missouri Science Innovation and Investment Act, or MOSIRA, which provided tax breaks to encourage certain types of scientific investment. The General Assembly approved the proposal, but a judge has blocked it.
Eagle Forum is among the groups who contend that MOSIRA lacked the protections to prevent the tax breaks encouraging embryonic stem cell research, which anti-abortion groups oppose.
Sauer was a founder of Missouri Roundtable for Life, an anti-abortion group.
