State Senator Kurt Schaefer has become the first big-name Republican to toss his hat in the ring for the 2016 Missouri Attorney General’s race. He is in his second and final term in the Missouri Senate.
He made headlines earlier this year when he held hearings on the Department of Revenue’s practice of scanning the documents of driver’s license applicants, and its decision to release the names of Missouri’s concealed-carry weapons holders to a federal investigator.
Schaefer will likely face competition for the GOP nomination – House Speaker Tim Jones has expressed interest in running for both Attorney General and Secretary of State, and State Senator Eric Schmitt of St. Louis County may also run.
Missouri Republican Party spokesperson Matt Wills said Sen. Schaefer has all the necessary credentials for the position.
"We have a really deep bench as it relates to statewide candidates," he said. "Sen. Schaefer has time and time again proven that he has what it takes to be an effective leader and I think that's what our party is looking for at this time. I think that's what our party will be getting in the next attorney general from MIssouri."
Meanwhile, incumbent Democrat Chris Koster is expected to run for Governor in 2016.
