Missouri Republican slammed for ‘racist bigotry’ in anti-immigrant campaign ad

A Missouri Republican with a history of attention-seeking political stunts is promising to “crack down on illegal immigration” in a widely derided ad loaded with racist stereotypes.

Bill Eigel, a GOP state senator running for governor of Missouri, stands next to a Spanish “translator” as he pledges “no more taxpayer handouts to illegals, period. Nada, zilch, zero.”

“No more illegals. No more money. The party is over,” the translator says in Spanish.

“We’re throwing them in jail and sending them back where they come from,” Eigel says.

Over a trumpet riff, the translator says “ay caramba” while grabbing the sides of his head.

The ad flashes “no more illegal immigrants” as a voiceover says Looney Tunes character Speedy Gonzales’ catchphrase “andele, andele, arriba, arriba.”

“It’s time to take Missouri back,” Eigel says.

On X, the video includes the caption: “The party’s over. Pack your bags. You’re getting the hell outta here.”

Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe, one of Eigel’s Republican challengers in the governor’s race, said the ad offended Missouri residents. “I just had one of our firefighters tell me how upset he was about that ad,” he told The Kansas City Star. “I had a member of the Hispanic community tell me how upset they were.”

“Our state can’t succeed and attract businesses and a talented workforce with leaders running on racist bigotry,” said Crystal Quade, the Missouri House Democratic floor leader and a Democratic candidate for governor. “We need a leader who will unite Missourians, not divide us.”

“Missouri GOP candidate for governor ⁦Bill Eigel is out with a blatantly racist and un-Christian TV ad mocking Latino people,” said Scott Charton, a former Missouri capitol reporter for the Associated Press. “Shame on Bill