As he continues to weather attacks about his past life in the GOP, converted Democrat and attorney general hopeful Chris Koster trumpeted the support of nearly 20 county prosecutors from around the state today. 
The release from Koster’s campaign this afternoon lists the endorsement of prosecutors in 19 counties, from Nodaway County on the Iowa border to Pemiscot County in the Bootheel.
(Though at least one of the names, St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch, was released previously.)
“Chris Koster knows what it means to stare evil in the face and not bat an eye,” Dunklin County Prosecutor Steve Sokoloff said in a release from the campaign.
Sokoloff, of course, was referring to Koster’s decade of experience as prosecutor in Cass County, though primary rival Jeff Harris — who has taken jabs at Koster for previously being a Republican– may chose to interrupt the comment differently.
Could the reason Nixon has not endorsed Harris be that, as the de facto leader of the Missouri Democratic Party, he doesn\’t want to give the appearance of picking favorites. Why hasn\’t Matt Blunt endorsed a candidate for Governor? Why did George Bush wait until McCain won the nomination to endorse? Jack you know the answer to that, and so does everyone else. It is very rare to high ranking officials to endorse, especially for candidates running for their office.
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Nick, I love it, But I need to ask, why has Jay Nixon not endorsed Harris? Hmmmm… I guess Nixon must believe there is a better candidate out there..Wonder who???? Chris Koster????
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Jack,
I’ve noticed something about posts on Political Fix and other state blogs about Koster – you’re the only person saying anything positive. Perhaps that should be a sign to Randy et al. who aren’t very familiar with the candidates. Koster claims to have support all across the state but so far I think it has completely failed to materialize.
So what if he picked up a few Democratic prosecutors, it’s only a fraction of the Democratic prosecutors in the state. Harris has more sheriffs alone (which I can’t recall Koster ever announcing his own list of).
And there’s one key name missing on the prosecutors list – Theresa Hensley. She would be the prosecutor in Cass County that followed Koster’s term. If he was so great at solving Cass County’s crime problem, why didn’t Hensley quickly back Koster? The truth, Koster’s tenure as a Republican prosecutor was nothing to brag about, a bit like his Senate tenure as a Republican leader responsible for cuts in Medicaid and the MOHELA fiasco.
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Wow, now you attack McCulloch. If you don’t agree, your not a real Democrat? You people do not even try to put forth a reasonable discussion.
Beginning to think Harris and his supporters are WAAAAAAY left. These blogs seem to reflect a that any midddle of the road candidate can not be part of the Democratic party.
Your correct Koster is a either a lefty “republican” or a righty “democrat” or right down the middle. Harris is ALL THE WAY to the left. (I think he just won the endorsement of a group that fully supports partial birth abortions – go Jeff!!!)
Jeff, rather then spending all your time talking about Koster, maybe you should spend a minute discussing how far left you are. Discuss what you support for one minute.
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My question is, who can tell St. Louis County Prosecutor, Bob McCulloch from a Republican? Is he really a Democrat?
He does the will of Republicans very well, and is why you cannot find one to run against him.
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This discussion about party loyalty is a little off target, because
the Attorney General’s office really shouldn’t be a partisan place.
The Attorney General doesn’t get to MAKE the laws, only defend them, regardless of which party passes what in the State Legislature.
The Attorney General DOES get to set the agenda in one area – who s/he is going to go after, and who needs to be held accountable and to what degree.(Everyone who is breaking the law, that would fall under the jurisdiction of the AG rather than the local county prosecutor should be held accountable). Justice should be served to Republicans and Democrats alike, and regardless of the party affiliation of the Attorney General.
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Claude, my understanding is that Jay Nixon is staying publicly neutral in the race, but he said Harris would make a “super Attorney General.” He hasn’t said anything like that about the other two candidates.
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Why does Jeff Harris spend all of his time putting out attacks on Koster?now internet adds attacking Koster, cute videos attacking Koster. All Harris talks about is Koster.
Koster has more experience then Harris. Koster has raise a ton more money then Harris. Koster is endorsed by Prosecutors, Police, Firefighters, Unions. etc. etc. All these organizations endorsed Koster OVER Harris.
So what is Jeff to do…name calling and attack Koster. It is interesting that nobody talks about Harris except for when he puts out a cute video about Koster. Koster is out raising money and getting ready for the general election and Harris is at home singing songs from the Sound of Music and changing the lyrics to talk about Koster. Jeff you are a high school girl…maybe you should run for senior class president not AG.
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Shecky, another followup question: Which Democratic candidate for Attorney General is Jay Nixon supporting? Does the longest serving attorney general have a favorite in the race?
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Randy, All biases aside, here’s the straight dope on all three candidates experience:
Harris served as an Assistant Attorney General under Jay Nixon. He’s been the top Democratic leader in the Missouri House, and he’s been an attorney in private practice.
Koster was a county prosecutor, worked for Republican Attorney General Bill Webster, and was a top Republican leader in the Senate.
Donnelly has been an attorney and was the top Democrat on the House budget committee. I believe she was also on her local school board.
Here’s my take on it (and yes, I am a Harris supporter): Koster will try to tell you that his experience as a prosecutor gives him an advantage, even though most folks who know much of anything about the job of the Attorney General will tell you that experience is pretty well irrelevent. In fact, most Missouri Attorneys General, including Jay Nixon, haven’t been prosecutors. Jeff Harris has worked with Jay Nixon, and Nixon has said Harris would make a great Attorney General. In my book, that’s all I need to know. Harris has the better and more significant experience.
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Is Harris more qualified than Koster to be Attorney General? Just on qualifications, is he? This isn’t rhetorical, I am substantively inquiring.
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I would like to know if any of these prosecutors have ever endorsed his Senate canidacy.
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Remember one thing with Chris Koster. When he says “prosecutor” what he’s really saying is that he doesn’t want to talk about the fact that he’s a Republican.
Nice try to change the subject Chris. Now, what about your support for George Bush, John Ashscroft and Matt Blunt?
Oh, and let’s make one thing perfectly clear: Chris Koster knows what it’s like to “stare evil in the face” and plea bargain. His biggest case and he let a mass murder cop a plea deal.
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