Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt's wife is trying to join an elite Washington club. That isn't helping his reelection bid.
In reliably red Missouri, Democratic Senate candidate Jason Kander is making gains on incumbent Republican Sen. Roy Blunt by "attacking Blunt incessantly for his long career in Washington" and "raising the issue of his wife and sons' professions as lobbyists," RealClearPolitics reports. Now, Politico has a scoop that could rattle Blunt even more: His wife, Abigail Blunt, is reported to be pursuing membership with the elite Chevy Chase Club, "a tony Washington country club that costs tens of thousands of dollars to join."
Blunt's campaign spokesman Burson Snyder declined to comment on Abigail Blunt's application, although her name reportedly appears on the club's internal website on a list of "candidates to be considered shortly for election." Upon membership, Abigail Blunt would owe $80,000, plus an additional $600 a month, according to a club member who spoke with Politico.
Kander, meanwhile, has positioned himself as a friendly alternative for Republicans who dislike the Washington establishment — including Donald Trump supporters. "Those same voters are not then going to the next line on the ballot and voting for somebody who's been in Washington for 20 years and has made Washington work for them and not for Missourians," Kander said. "That's just not how they're going to vote. It's very clear."
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In the RealClearPolitics average of polls taken between Oct. 9 and 26, Blunt is up by just one percentage point, with 46 percent support to Kander's 45 percent. The race is considered to be a toss-up.
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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
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