Missouri’s attorney general has been involved in several high-profile legal actions, including suing Planned Parenthood and President Joe Biden, attempting to obtain records from clinics providing gender-affirming care, and pressuring a liberal prosecutor to resign. Despite these conservative actions, outside conservative groups are investing heavily in the upcoming Aug. 6 primary to support Andrew Bailey's opponent, Will Scharf, who has ties to former President Donald Trump's legal team. The primary winner in the GOP-dominated state typically holds a significant advantage in the November general election.
This situation underscores the growing importance of state attorneys general, who have assumed more nationalized roles and often use their positions as stepping stones for higher political offices. The trend of increased partisanship among AGs has been noted, with many engaging in legal battles against federal policies that conflict with their party's ideology.
