Missouri Senator Josh Hawley, a staunch Donald Trump ally, has been dealt a blow from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the state’s largest newspaper, which endorsed his Democratic challenger, Lucas Kunce.

The endorsement, published Sunday, criticizes Hawley for his role in the January 6, 2021, assault on the Capitol, when Trump supporters stormed the building to try to disrupt the certification of President Joe Biden’s election.

The Post-Dispatch, which has a daily circulation of over 104,000, did not mince words in its editorial, calling Hawley “quite possibly the worst sitting senator in America right now.”

The editorial said that while the blame for the Capitol attack is widespread, “one member stands apart for his singular role in spurring the violence that day: Sen. Josh Hawley.”

The newspaper condemned the Republican’s decision to become the first senator to challenge the 2020 election’s results ahead of the January 6 riot.

The paper also drew attention to the moment when Hawley raised his fist in solidarity with the rioters before the violence erupted. Hours later, he was filmed fleeing from the same mob through the halls of the Capitol.

The editorial board excoriated Hawley’s actions, saying, “Hawley’s role in Jan. 6 would, in itself, merit his expulsion from the Senate by Missouri voters.”

In addition to his connection to the January 6 attack, the newspaper criticized Hawley’s record in the Senate, describing his term as “almost completely devoid of substantive accomplishments” and characterizing his positions as “faux-populist sound and fury signifying nothing.” It also lambasted Hawley’s opposition to U.S. aid to Ukraine, calling his stance “shortsighted and obtuse.”

Newsweek reached out to Hawley’s campaign by email for comment.

The Post-Dispatch praised Kunce, a 42-year-old Marine veteran and attorney, for his moderate political positions and personal story.

Kunce’s rise—he was born into a working-class family that struggled to pay the medical bills, received a Pell Grant to attend Yale and served as a Pentagon arms control negotiator—was portrayed as that of a moderate, in contrast to Hawley’s extreme record, the paper said.

The editorial also said Kunce’s support for policies like reasonable abortion rights, gun control measures and universal health care would appeal to voters across the political spectrum. It said, “He checks the boxes that Democrats generally care about, but with a centrist element that should allow more conservative Missourians to at least consider his candidacy.”

In a statement it attributed to the candidate, Kunce’s campaign told Newsweek: “While our last Republican senator brought home hundreds of millions of dollars to create jobs and raise wages, Josh Hawley hasn’t brought back a single dollar in congressionally directed spending for Missouri.”

The statement continued: “We can’t afford another six years of America’s ‘worst sitting senator’—our worked-led coalition is going to take back this Senate seat so we finally can invest in Missouri, protect all our freedoms and Make S*** in America Again!”

The newspaper’s endorsement comes as recent polling suggests a closer-than-expected race between the incumbent and his challenger.

An internal poll from Kunce’s campaign published in September showed him trailing Hawley by just 4 points, 50 percent to 46 percent. The most recent poll, conducted by ActiVote from September 1 to October 1, had Hawley leading by a comfortable 8 points.

This tight margin reflects growing momentum for Kunce, particularly as the state prepares to vote on a popular amendment to enshrine abortion access in the Missouri constitution, an issue that has energized Democratic voters.

In most presidential polls in Missouri, Trump leads Vice President Kamala Harris by double digits.

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Mississippi State women’s soccer should expect to move up even higher than its current ranking at No. 4 in the nation this week.

The Bulldogs (12-1, 6-0 SEC) won their ninth-straight game Sunday in a 5-0 decision against Missouri (4-8-2, 2-4-1 SEC). But it’s No. 7 Stanford defeating No. 2 North Carolina that should see the Bulldogs move up.

Mississippi State’s win earlier this week helped it reach No. 2 in NCAA Women’s Soccer RPI, behind North Carolina. So, it would make sense the Bulldogs move into the No. 1 spot when the RPI rankings are updated this week.

The United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll is released on Tuesdays and TopDrawerSoccer releases its rankings on Mondays.

Sunday against Missouri saw the Bulldogs match their highest goal total with five goals (def. Abilene Christian 5-0 on Sept. 12). Five different players for Mississippi State scored goals, too.

Hannah Johnson, Zoe Main, Aitana Martinez-Montoya, Ally Perez and Maggie Wadsworth all scored goals for Mississippi State. It was a strong night for the offense that outshot Missouri 20-3 in the game.

No. 4 Mississippi State has just three games left in the regular season before the SEC Tournament that starts Nov. 3. The Bulldogs will be back in action next on Friday when they face their instate rival Ole Miss (5-10-1, 0-6-1). Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Oxford and will be streamed on SECN+.

Watch: Georgia’s Kirby Smart Shoves Opposing Quarterback in Game

Mississippi State vs. Georgia: What Went Wrong?

What Went Right? Mississippi State’s Comeback Falls Short vs Georgia

Mississippi State Football: Why Every Team Should Be on Upset Alert

ABC 17 News is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.