'We're taking America back': Sen. Josh Hawley kicks off reelection campaign in Ozark

Sen. Josh Hawley visited Ozark on Wednesday to kick off his general election Senate campaign. Greeting a crowd of about 150 people at the Ozark Town Square, he introduced his wife and three kids and decried Democratic candidate Lucas Kunce with a repeated refrain of "It's crazy, but it's Kunce."

Hawley, who has served in the U.S. Senate since 2019, told supporters and attendees that this election was their chance to "take America back."

"This country is in crisis. It is unbelievable what (Democrats) have done to us because of Kunce and his allies. For four long years they have shoved this stuff down our throats: Nancy Pelosi, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Kunce, all of their pals. They have been in power for years now. They've controlled the Senate, they've controlled the White House, they have jammed this agenda down our throats," Hawley said. "They are destroying this country and we're here to tell them in November, 'Your time is over.' In November, we're taking America back. In November, we're going to save our country."

Throughout the rally, he pushed back on his opponent's positions by calling them "crazy," "nutty" or "insane." Hawley cited Kunce's stances on immigration, climate change, transgender rights and criminal justice.

"This Kunce guy, he might be the nuttiest guy nominated to run for the Senate in Missouri," Hawley said.

Hawley's attempt to paint Kunce — a former Marine who worked in the Pentagon — as unstable or out of the mainstream did not go unnoticed.

"I'm thrilled to hear Hawley has found a line he enjoys saying. It doesn't change the fact that this is the dude who wants to control you in the bedroom, control you in the doctor's office, and control you in the workplace. It's creepy," said Connor Lounsbury, senior adviser for Kunce's campaign, in an emailed statement.

Hawley has previously stated that he wants to crack down on immigration as a way to address crime, workforce shortages and housing shortages in Missouri. He also advocates for the reopening of American energy production because "farmers can't afford to farm in our state because it costs so darn much, energy is so darn high."

In regards to transgender rights, he believes "boys shouldn't be in girls locker rooms and boys shouldn't be playing girls sports."

"You think about what it took to get some basic parity in women's sports over decades and now, Kunce and Biden and Harris are wiping that away," Hawley said. "Pretty soon, women's sports at every level are going to be filled with biological men. I just think that's a travesty."

More: The short version: Who won, what passed Aug. 6 in Missouri primary elections

Hawley also attempted to argue Kunce is unwilling to debate him, despite exchanges on X, formerly known as Twitter, in which Kunce accepted the debate invitation and suggested airing at least one on Fox for all Missourians to watch.

"I'm doing you a favor, man. You've got the nuttiest record ever, I'm giving you a chance to defend it. Come defend it in front of the people of Missouri. Don't be afraid. Don't be afraid," Hawley said. "Don't hide behind the cameras; come on now. I just say to him, if you really believe the stuff you say, come defend it."

Hawley has invited Kunce to an unmoderated debate at the state fair. As of Aug. 7, NBC affiliates KDSK out of St. Louis and KSHB out of Kansas City have offered the candidates a chance for a televised debate at the Missouri State Fairgrounds on Aug. 15. Kunce has accepted.

When asked for a response, Hawley's communications director Abigail Jackson instead sent an X post from Josh Hawley with a video of the rally that read "To Lucas Kunce: Quit dancing & making excuses. Just show up. Next Thursday. State Fair. You and me. One on one. No moderators, no filters, no gimmicks. Just you, me and the people. All are welcome, press & public. Come one, come all. See you there."

Hawley then accepted an offer from the Missouri Farm Bureau to host a debate.

Kunce has also accepted two other televised debates.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Josh Hawley kicks off campaign to 'save our country' with Ozark rally