A Bunch Of Anti-LGBTQ+ Candidates Are Running In This State. And They Have Trump’s Support.

A handful of Republicans running for Missouri’s highest offices secured crucial support from former President Donald Trump ahead of the primary election on Tuesday — a boost for candidates who have all promised to further restrict LGBTQ+ rights in the deep-red state.

Missouri has already enacted several anti-trans laws, including a ban on trans youth playing on sports teams that align with their gender identity and a ban on gender-affirming care for minors, incarcerated people and residents enrolled in the state’s Medicaid program.

But the front-runners for governor and attorney general could champion even more stringent anti-trans policies if they win in November.

Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, praised three candidates for governor: state Sen. Bill Eigel, Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe.

“They are MAGA and America First all the way,” he posted on Truth Social, a conservative social media platform owned in large part by the former president.

A few days later, Trump endorsed both GOP candidates for attorney general: incumbent state Attorney General Andrew Bailey and Will Scharf, an attorney whohelped secure a ruling giving Trump immunityfrom criminal prosecution.

Missouri has not elected a Democratic attorney general or governor since 2017, and Trump won the Show Me State with more than 56% of the vote in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections.

The candidates Trump endorsed each have a long track record of supporting anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, sharing misleading anti-trans rhetoric and targeting transgender youth. Here’s a look at what’s at stake if any of these candidates take office.

The State Attorney General Race

Bailey ― who has been endorsed by both of