Scharf concedes MO Attorney General primary race to current AG Andrew Bailey

Current Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey will face Democrat challenger Elad Gross and Libertarian challenger Ryan Munro in the November general election.

The Associated Press and The New York Times have called the Republican primary for Bailey.

"I am profoundly honored and humbled to serve the people of Missouri. With your continued support, we will bring transformative conservative leadership to the Show-Me State," Bailey wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. "We will defend our values, uphold the rule of law, and protect our freedoms."

Around 9 p.m., candidate Will Scharf conceded the Republican primary to Bailey. Scharf is one of former President Donald Trump's former attorneys and also is a former federal prosecutor.

"Tonight we came up short. We always knew that challenging an incumbent and the Jefferson City establishment would be difficult, and despite the tremendous grassroots energy around our campaign Andrew Bailey has certainly earned a full term in office," Scharf wrote on X. "He has my unqualified support in the general election, and I hope that he will do Missouri proud in the coming years."

Bailey took office in January 2023 after Eric Schmitt was elected to represent Missouri in the U.S. Senate. Bailey earned his juris doctor from the University of Missouri School of Law. He was general counsel for the Missouri Department of Corrections, worked for the governor's office under Parson, and was assistant Attorney General before his appointment.

He served in the U.S. Army in Iraq and was awarded numerous medals including two Bronze Star medals.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri primary results: Andrew Bailey beats out Will Scharf for AG