Article by Collin Anderson in "The Washington Free Beacon":
2.2 million Missouri residents live in rural counties
Missouri Democrat Nicole Galloway has
remained silent after a top adviser called Republican governor Mike
Parson an "illiterate hillbilly."
Galloway, the state auditor, is running to
unseat Parson, an Army veteran, former sheriff, and cattle farmer. In a
Tuesday social media post, campaign adviser and registered lobbyist
Patrick Lynn called Parson an "illiterate hillbilly." Galloway has yet
to condemn the remark and did not respond to a request for comment.
Lynn has long backed Galloway, hosting a
happy hour fundraiser for the Democrat as early as 2011 when Galloway
served as a county treasurer. Galloway's PAC paid Lynn's consulting
firm, Show Me Victories, to run digital ads against Galloway's opponent
during the Democrat's 2018 state auditor reelection bid. Galloway is
married to Lynn's nephew.
Republican Governors Association
spokeswoman Amelia Chassé Alcivar compared Lynn's statement to Hillary
Clinton's infamous 2016 comment, in which the Democratic presidential
nominee said that half of President Donald Trump's supporters could be
put in a "basket of deplorables."
"It's no secret that Nicole Galloway tries
to emulate Hillary Clinton at every turn, but hurling elitist disdain at
a majority of the voters you seek to represent is never a good look,"
Alcivar said. "If Nicole Galloway doesn't step up and condemn this
despicable and divisive rhetoric from her top advisor, Missourians can
only presume that Mr. Lynn merely said out loud what Galloway thinks."
Critics say Lynn's comment marks the latest
example showing Galloway is out of touch with Missouri voters. More
than 2 million Missourians live in rural counties, according to the
state's health department. Parson, a native of rural Wheatland, Mo.,
received nearly 1.5 million votes during his 2016 run for lieutenant
governor. Galloway on June 14 headlined an
event with abortion lobbyist and liberal megadonor NARAL, which opposes
any restriction on late-term abortion. More than 80 percent of Missouri
voters oppose late-term abortion—including 66 percent of Democrats and
83 percent of independents—according to a 2019 poll commissioned by
Susan B. Anthony List.
Lynn's comment came after Parson was asked
during a Tuesday press conference whether he felt "personal
responsibility" for coronavirus deaths in the state.
"I don't even know where you come up with
that question, personal responsibility as the governor of the state of
Missouri when you're talking about a virus," Parson responded. "Do I
feel guilty because we have car accidents and people die every day? No, I
don't feel guilty about that."
Galloway and Parson will likely face off in
November following the state's August primary. The Missouri Republican
enjoys a significant financial advantage, holding a combined $6.5
million on hand between his campaign and PAC. Galloway, meanwhile, holds
less than $2 million on hand between her campaign and PAC as of April
15.
Lynn locked his Twitter account Thursday following publication of this report.
https://freebeacon.com/2020-election/mo-dem-silent-after-top-adviser-calls-gop-gov-an-illiterate-hillbilly/