The Republican primary field for U.S. Senate in 2022 continues to become more crowded. Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz announced this week that he is entering the race.
It will be a tough road for Schatz to catch up to Vicky Hartzler who represents the Fourth District. The popular conservative Congresswoman from Cass County currently leads in fundraising and is considered the frontrunner.
“We’re going to take some good, old-fashioned Show-Me State values to Washington and show them how it’s done,” Schatz said in ad. “If you want a U.S. senator who will get the job done, then I’m your guy.”
Schatz has risen in the capitol from a state representative to president pro tem of the Missouri Senate, where he’s carved out a reputation for being focused on infrastructure.
READ: Metro Voice interviews Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler
This year, Schatz championed legislation increasing Missouri’s gas tax by 2.5 cents annually — bumping it up to 29.5 cents from 17 cents by 2025. The additional funds are earmarked for fixing Missouri’s roads and bridges.
He previously maneuvered a bonding package to expedite repair or replacement of hundreds of bridges, including the Rocheport Bridge, in Missouri through the General Assembly in 2019. The package was contingent upon a federal grant the state received just a few months after the legislature approved the proposal.
In addition to working as the vice president of his family’s Schatz Underground, the Senate hopeful also serves as a deacon at his church in Sullivan, entertains his children and grandchildren at his family farm and sits on a bank board. He’s quick to talk about his faith just as much as he is about his love of the outdoors.
Schatz faces an already crowded Republican field of contenders in the race to replace outgoing Senator Roy Blunt. In addition to Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler, Congressman Billy Long, Attorney General Eric Schmitt, former Gov. Eric Greitens, and attorney Mark McCloskey are vying for the GOP nomination.
–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice
