“My view is that Trump will not change the Republican Party, America’s right-of-center party. If he brings in new followers, that’s great, and well worth the effort, but he will not change the Republican Party,” said Mitch McConnell.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s words ring through the American political sphere like a cannon through a hallway. Donald Trump has rampaged through the Republican Party like a bull in a china shop. 

By fueling conspiracy theories that the election was stolen from him, Trump set the stage for a violent mob to storm the U.S. Capitol. This moment of chaos should have been the best moment for America to cleanse itself from Trump. The Republican Party, following the attempted coup of American democracy, had the chance to completely rid itself of the man they followed for the last four years. Not necessarily his politics and agenda, but Republicans had an opportunity to change the vessel of delivery. 

Instead, over one hundred Senate and Congressional Republicans drank the Kool-Aid on Trumpism more than others have in the past. They feared the man and his followers more than they revered the Constitution and nation they swore to defend. At the top of this list was Junior Senator Josh Hawley from Missouri.

Hawley’s defense of Trump and his imaginary election claims are indefensible. Hawley has supported these antics from the beginning. He was the first Senator to support the effort to not certify the election results from the 2020 election. 

Hawley claimed that he was defending millions of Americans that had doubts about election integrity. He was doing the complete opposite. Hawley’s intention was clear: to set up a presidential run in 2024. His aspiration for higher office and power blinded him, one can hope, to the actions of Trump. Hawley saw an opportunity to seize one of the most dedicated bases we’ve seen in modern politics. 

Trump supporters’ extreme passion towards the former President has and will continue to create a power vacuum in the party. At least 55 percent of Republicans believe that the election was fraudulent. Garnering the support of Trump’s base is the path to taking the Republican Party’s nomination in 2024. If Hawley had truly wanted to investigate accusations of fraud, he could have started a committee and investigated it thoroughly. He could have acted like a United States senator, not a reality tv show pariah. Instead, Hawley, like many other Republicans, was trying to position himself to be Trump’s heir apparent. Then, the unthinkable happened. 

Hawley’s actions before the assault on the Capitol are redeemable. The argument could be made that Hawley never thought that Trump’s rhetoric could lead to the events that transpired Jan. 6. Like a lot of Americans, I do not support this sentiment, but still, the point is valid and not unreasonable. However, Hawley’s actions during and after the attempted siege are appalling and irredeemable. 

While insurrectionists ran wild in the U.S. Capital, hundreds of lawmakers hid fearing for their lives. These radical groups at the riot were planning on killing police officers and security guards, at least. They were willing to do what was necessary to get “justice” for the alleged wrongs against them and their country. 

Two hours prior, Hawley was sending emails. Not just any emails, but emails to his fundraisers, objecting to the results of the election. He claimed that he was fighting for a free election against career politicians in Washington, DC. He was supporting the rioters’ battle cry up to and after they stormed the place where democracy happens in our country. Hawley tried to portray himself as a defender of freedom and democracy but instead did the complete opposite.

“Supporting Josh and trying so hard to get him elected to the Senate was the worst mistake I ever made in my life,” said former Senator Jack Danforth (MO-R).

Hawley was still given an opportunity for redemption on the Senate floor later that night. After all of the chaos, after all of the pandemonium, Hawley had America’s attention. He had the same opportunity that countless other Republicans had to purge themselves from Trumpism. Hawley could have joined the likes of Senators Mitt Romney (UT-R), Mike Lee (UT-R), former Senator Kelly Loefler ( GA-R) and other Republicans who spoke out against the former president after his rally turned violent. 

They made the decision that their country was more important than their party. Hawley could have easily acquitted himself in the eyes of every American that night. Instead, he stood up and still objected to the election basing his argument on frivolous facts that have been thrown out of every courtroom in the U.S. His deliberate rejection of our democratic values will forever tarnish his reputation and all those that support him. 

Hawley’s behavior was that of a man that was blinded by his ambition. He saw his future and all of his aspirations that could be realized. Hawley saw himself as the ideological face of the Republican party, and maybe even in the White House. His skewered perception and aspirations resulted in him abandoning his common sense, his academic history and, frankly, his morality. Josh Hawley’s actions will be remembered as a warning to all aspirational politicians. His actions are a clear warning that working to undermine our system, no matter the possible merits, will always result in an absolute failure. 

In the grand scheme, Hawley’s behavior has shown how Donald Trump has unequivocally changed the Republican Party forever. Trump’s rhetoric has normalized this tomfoolery and absurdity within the party. It is impossible to imagine anything like this happening after a speech given by Lincoln, Eisenhower, Reagan or Bush. “Trumpism” has created a whole generation of Hawley-type politicians that has challenged basic conservative tenets and beliefs about the premise of governance in the U.S. They will only increase the unethical and incompetent leadership that plagues Washington.

Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley and U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill debated in St. Louis.

The 2018 midterms were atypical for several reasons – not only were they the most expensive midterm elections in United States history but voter numbers were record-high as the Democrats took the House and the Republicans retained control of the Senate.

Locally several ballot initiatives were passed, records were broken and new representatives were elected as several incumbents were voted out of office.

Missouri

In Missouri Josh Hawley (R) defeated incumbent Claire McCaskill (D) to represent the state in the Senate. Support for Hawley, who received 51.5 percent of the vote came mostly from rural areas, whereas McCaskill – who received 45.5 percent of the vote – fared better in cities.

Map of Senate election results in Missouri. Courtesy of The New York Times.

A self-proclaimed “constitutional conservative,” Hawley has served as the Attorney General for Missouri since 2017 and has built a reputation as an advocate for religious liberty and reduced government. Hawley has been involved in lawsuits against several prominent companies, including search engine Google and drug companies Purdue Pharma, Endo Health Solutions and Janssen Pharmaceuticals.

Endorsed by a number of conservative groups – including the Senate Conservatives Fund, the Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund and the National Rifle Association, Hawley is a strict believer in traditionally right-wing ideals.

Hawley believes both the Affordable Care Act and abortion are unconstitutional and that human trafficking can be blamed on the women’s sexual revolution of the 1960s. He has been endorsed by President Donald J. Trump and has vocally supported the current administration’s actions, including implementing a child-separation policy at the Southern border, the impositions of trade-tariffs and the appointment of Brett Kavanaugh to the supreme court.

Hawley will serve on the Senate as the representative for Missouri for the next six years and will be up for re-election in 2024. He will serve alongside Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), who will be up for re-election in 2022.

The other elected representatives of Mo are:

State Auditor: Nicole Galloway, D

And, for the House of Representatives:

Within Clay County, in which William Jewell College is located, several ballot initiatives passed.

Amendment 1 passed with 62 percent of the vote – thereby restricting the value of campaign contributions that candidates can accept from individuals or entities and mandating that legislative records and proceedings be open to the public.

With 65.5 percent of the vote, Amendment 2 passed legalizing marijuana for medical purposes with a 4 percent tax. Revenue collected from this tax will be dedicated to health care services for veterans. While Amendment 2 passed, Amendment 3 and Proposition 2  – both seeking to legalize medical marijuana  – both failed.

With 52.4 percent of the vote, Amendment 4 passed removing language limiting bingo game advertising and enabling members of licensed organizations to manage games after only six months, as opposed to the currently enforced two years.

Proposition B passed with 62.3 percent of the vote, decreeing that the minimum wage will be immediately raised to $8.60 and increased by 0.85 cents per hour annually until 2023, when the state minimum wage will be $12.00 per hour. This proposition also exempted government employers from the wage increases and increased the penalties for paying employees less than the minimum wage.

Proposition D, a 2.5 cent per gallon gas tax to be imposed for four years beginning July 1, 2019 to raise money to prepare roads within the state, failed to pass with only 46.4 percent voting in favor.

Kansas

The Senate seat in Kansas was not up for grabs in this year’s midterm election and incumbents Pat Roberts (R)  and Jerry Moran (R) will be up for re-election in 2020 and 2022, respectively.

For the House of Representatives:

The election of Sharice Davids (D) from the third district broke records as  – along with Deb Haaland (D) from New Mexico  –  she will be the first Native American woman elected to Congress. Additionally, Davids is the first openly LGBT member of Congress elected in Kansas.

In a contentious race, Democrat Laura Kelly was elected as the governor of Kansas, defeating Republican nominee Kris Kobach. Incumbent Sam Brownback (R) was unable to run for re-election due to term limits, however, he may run again in 2022.

Incumbent Derek Schmidt (R) was elected to be the Attorney General of Kansas with 59.3 percent of the vote, Scott Schwab (R) was elected to be the Secretary of State with 52.9 percent and incumbent Jack LaTurner (R) was elected to be the Treasurer with 58.1 percent.

No measures were listed on the Kansas ballot in this year’s midterm election.

Photo courtesy of Carolina Hidalgo/St. Louis Public Radio.