When all the votes were counted in Missouri’s 2nd District in suburban St. Louis, Republican Rep. Ann Wagner emerged as the winner of a 5th term.
By a margin of 52 to 45.4 percent, Wagner overcame an intense challenge from leftist Democratic State Sen. Jill Schupp, who had led in polls conducted right up to the eve of early voting.
But Wagner’s re-election did not happen easily. The veteran lawmaker, former ambassador to Luxembourg and past co-chairman of the Republican National Committee overcame a well-funded assault from left-of-center sources in and outside the St. Louis area.
Two years ago, Wagner staved off a surprisingly strong challenge from Democratic newcomer Cort VanOstran. VanOstran, clearly benefiting from suburban voter backlash against the Trump Administration, was not targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
This time, Schupp was targeted by the DCCC and hit hard at the incumbent’s support of Trump and her pro-life position.
“Congresswoman Ann Wagner ran a strong, disciplined, aggressive, grass roots-driven campaign,” former state House Speaker Tim Jones, a constituent of Wagner’s, told Newsmax, “Based on what we learned from polling in 2016, no one should have given too much credence to whatever ‘poll of the day’ was cited by Ann’s far left wing detractors. The only poll that matters will be the final one taken on Election Day and, in the end, the common sense constituents of the 2nd Congressional District rewarded Ann with a solid victory for all her many years of hard work and service.”
John Gizzi is chief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax. For more of his reports, Go Here Now.
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