Can a sex scandal in Missouri cost the GOP the U.S. Senate?


The GOP has a Trump-shaped problem in Missouri — and it could cost the party a majority in the U.S. Senate.
Eric Greitens, the former Missouri governor, is leading his rivals for the Republican nomination for his state's open Senate seat. But he has a terribly sordid history, having resigned from office in 2018 amid allegations he'd had a coercive extramarital affair — and then blackmailed the woman with nude photos. Greitens claimed the affair was consensual, and criminal charges against him were dropped. The whole thing left a nasty impression with voters, though. A new Republican Party poll indicates he could well lose to the Democratic nominee in next fall's general election. That would be a stunning result in a solidly red state.
Party leaders have gone into panic mode. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) endorsed one of Greitens' GOP rivals this week; Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) offered an out-of-state endorsement for another candidate. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is reportedly watching the situation warily. Former President Trump remains on the sidelines, reportedly mulling over his options.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
One problem: Trump hasn't ruled out Greitens. The former president wants to back a winner, and Greitens' popularity among Missouri Republicans makes him a tempting gamble. "Trump has seen Greitens' internal poll numbers and asked those close to him if he should just endorse him and take the victory," Politico reports today.
Some conservatives dread that possibility. "Please don't endorse Eric Greitens. That's a nightmare, Mr. President. We'll lose that seat," radio host Hugh Hewitt moaned on-air in December.
The bigger problem for Republicans is how fervidly they've embraced Trump since 2016 — even after the Access Hollywood video, even after Trump endorsed Alabama's Roy Moore amid allegations Moore had pursued relationships with teen girls, and even after Trump backed several other Republican men accused of treating women terribly. Through his personal behavior and political choices, Trump has created a Greitens-sized hole in the Republicans' political tent by making it seem that that misogyny and sexual predation are no big deal. By making fealty to Trump the sine non qua of GOP identity, the party's leaders have done the same. Having trained their followers to disregard such follies, Republicans are now hard pressed to make the case to their voters that nominating Greitens is a bad idea. As long as he toes the MAGA line, what's really the problem?
Democrats have had their own sins in this regard — famously leaping to President Bill Clinton's defense when his affair with a young intern came to light. It was wrong, then, too. If you want to make the case that Clinton opened the gates to acceptance of Trump's behavior, I won't argue. But the issue for the GOP now is that while their voters don't mind putting gross men in office, the electorate at large still has reservations. If Missouri elects a Democrat in November, Republicans will have earned the rebuke.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Joel Mathis is a writer with 30 years of newspaper and online journalism experience. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic and The Kansas City Star. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.
-
El Palace Barcelona: old-world luxury in the heart of the city
The Week Recommends This historic hotel is set within a former Ritz outpost moments from the Passeig de Gràcia
-
The best history books to read in 2025
The Week Recommends These fascinating deep-dives are perfect for history buffs
-
July 4 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Friday’s political cartoons include the danger of talking politics at a family picnic, and disappearing Medicaid entitlements
-
How will Trump's megabill affect you?
Today's Big Question Republicans have passed the 'big, beautiful bill' through Congress
-
How successful would Elon Musk's third party be?
Today's Big Question Musk has vowed to start a third party after falling out with Trump
-
The last words and final moments of 40 presidents
The Explainer Some are eloquent quotes worthy of the holders of the highest office in the nation, and others... aren't
-
How Zohran Mamdani's NYC mayoral run will change the Democratic Party
Talking Points The candidate poses a challenge to the party's 'dinosaur wing'
-
Is Trump's military parade 'just a parade'?
Talking Point Critics see an 'echo of authoritarianism'
-
Is Trump's LA troop deployment about order or authoritarianism?
Talking Points President: 'We're going to have troops everywhere.'
-
Musk: What did he achieve in Washington?
Feature Elon Musk leaves his government job but not after bruising his image, slashing aid and firing thousands
-
GOP megabill would limit judicial oversight of Trump
speed read The domestic policy bill Republicans pushed through the House would protect the Trump administration from the consequences of violating court orders