(Developing)
Former President Donald Trump early Monday announced he was backing Republican Attorney General Derek Schmidt’s campaign for governor against Democratic incumbent Laura Kelly.
“Derek Schmidt, the attorney general of the Great State of Kansas, has done an absolutely outstanding job,” Trump said in an email that went out at 7:01 a.m.
“Derek is strong on crime, the borders, and our always under siege Second Amendment.
“He loves our Military and our Vets. Derek Schmidt has my Complete and Total Endorsement!”
Last year, Schmidt signed onto a brief with 16 other states in support of an unsuccessful lawsuit seeking to throw out the results of the presidential election.
Kansas along with Missouri filed a friend-of-the-court brief with the U.S. Supreme Court that drew sharp criticism from Democrats who described it as an “embarrassment” to the state.
The brief was filed in support of a lawsuit brought by Texas against four battleground states — Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — that decided the election in favor of President-elect Joe Biden.
The lawsuit is generally regarded as a legal “Hail Mary,” taking the rare step of asking the court to directly take up the matter rather than climbing through the appeals process.
U.S. Attorney General William Barr had already said the Justice Department found no signs of widespread voter fraud during the election.
At the time, Schmidt said there were important issues for the Supreme Court to decide in the case.
“Texas asserts it can prove four states violated the U.S. Constitution in an election that affects all Americans, so Texas should be heard,” Schmidt said at the time.
“Everyone would benefit from clarity about what the U.S. Constitution requires of states as they administer federal elections.”
Schmidt thanked Trump for his support in response on Twitter.
“Kansas was better off with your America First leadership in the White House, and I’m genuinely grateful for your support as we work hard to bring pro-America, pro-freedom, pro-family, and pro-worker policies to the Kansas governor’s office next year,” Schmidt tweeted.
Trump’s endorsement pushes Schmidt further to the right when there is already an effort underway online to call into question his credentials opposing abortion rights.
Trump carried the state with 56% of the vote in 2020. He received a similar percentage in 2016.
Meanwhile, Kelly has been moving more toward the center, opposing federal vaccine mandates, proposing tax rebates, opposing environmental protections for the lesser prairie chicken and urging caution on a federal land and water conservation plan.
Last year, Kelly was praised by Trump when she met with the president at the White House.
Trump said that Kelly and Republican Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson had “both done a fantastic job” dealing with the coronavirus.
Kelly commended the Trump administration’s response to the outbreak of COVID-19 cases at the state’s meatpacking plants, enabling one of the state’s largest industries to keep operating.
“Gov. Kelly is proud of the work she did with President Trump to keep Kansas meatpacking plants open during the pandemic’s early days,” a Kelly campaign spokesman said.
“So this endorsement, while not surprising at all, serves as a reminder that Gov. Kelly will work with leaders whether they endorse her political campaign or not – and that’s what Kansans appreciate about her.”