Missouri’s tightly contested Senate race provides a stark illustration of the forces that shaped this year’s midterm elections. Incumbent Republican Josh Hawley, who won by a slim margin in 2018, has campaigned as a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump, while Democrat Trudy Busch Valentine has presented herself as a moderate alternative. The outcome of the race will have significant implications for the balance of power in the Senate, and it is likely to be a bellwether for the future of the Republican Party.
Missouri is a microcosm of the political divide that has intensified in recent years, and the outcome of the Senate race will be closely watched by both parties. If Hawley wins, it will be seen as a victory for Trump’s brand of politics and a repudiation of the moderate wing of the Republican Party. If Valentine wins, it will be seen as a sign that voters are rejecting Trumpism and looking for a more centrist approach to government.