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.”
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Missouri Senator Josh Hawley is seen on Capitol Hill on September 24. Hawley, a staunch Donald Trump ally, was not endorsed by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the state’s largest newspaper, which is backing his Democratic… Missouri Senator Josh Hawley is seen on Capitol Hill on September 24. Hawley, a staunch Donald Trump ally, was not endorsed by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the state’s largest newspaper, which is backing his Democratic challenger, Lucas Kunce.
Jose Luis Magana/ASSOCIATED PRESS
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.
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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!”
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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.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – The Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested a 29-year-old woman after seizing over 200 pounds of marijuana in a traffic stop.
ALSO READ: Investigation into Missouri kratom retailers expands, says AG
According to the MSHP, troopers stopped a vehicle for a registration violation and following too closely on EB I-70 in Montgomery County, Mo., on Thursday, December 11. Authorities then searched the vehicle, finding 221 pounds of marijuana.
According to an MSHP report, 29-year-old Briana A. Roberts was taken into custody and held in the Montgomery County Jail for 24 hours. She could be charged with trafficking drugs in the first degree and endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree, according to the report.
Some mid-Missouri stores and restaurants will have adjusted hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. KOMU 8 News has compiled a list of what’s open on Christmas in 2025.
If you don’t see your establishment listed, please email news@komu.com with your operating hours.
Stores
Walgreens – East Broadway, Columbia
Christmas Eve: Store open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., pharmacy open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Christmas Day: Store open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., pharmacy closed
Walmart
Christmas Eve: Open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Target – Columbia
Target – Jefferson City
Christmas Eve: Open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Aldi
Christmas Eve: Open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Dollar General
Christmas Eve: Open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Dollar Tree
Christmas Eve: Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Gerbes
Christmas Eve: Open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Hy-Vee
Christmas Eve: Store open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pharmacy open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Moser’s Food
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Sam’s Club
Christmas Eve: Store and pharmacy open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Schnuck’s
Christmas Eve: Open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Restaurants and Coffee Shops
IHOP
Christmas Eve: Open 12 a.m. to 7p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed, opens next day at 5 a.m.
Waffle House
7Brew
Christmas Eve: Open 5:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Scooter’s
Christmas Eve: Open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Starbucks – Broadway & Fairview in Columbia
Christmas Eve: Open 4:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Christmas Day: Open 6 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Starbucks – Missouri Boulevard & U.S. 50 in Jefferson City
Christmas Eve: Open 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Christmas Day: Open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Starbucks – Nifong & Buttonwood in Columbia
Christmas Eve: Open 4:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Starbucks – West Truman & Country Club in Jefferson City
You can get in on Missouri sports betting with a BetMGM welcome offer for college basketball on Thursday.
BetMGM Bonus code NYPDM1500gets bettors a 20 percent first deposit match up to $1500 when in Missouri.
Mizzou is a 22.5-point favorite over Alabama State. The Tigers step back onto its home floor looking to reset after road losses to Notre Dame and Kansas. Alabama State has struggled mightily against high-major opponents.
BetMGM Missouri bonus code NYPDM1500
The BetMGM Bonus Code NYPDM1500 can be used for any sport and market offered at BetMGM. That includes Missouri State vs. Arkansas State in the Xbox Bowl.
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BetMGM’s Missouri promo code is considered one of the highest valued promotions in contrast to other Missouri bonus offers.
If bettors wanted to snag the maximum value of the offer, they would have to deposit $7,500. Otherwise, they get 20 percent of whatever they deposit, i.e., deposit $100, get $20.
New users must be physically present in Missouri when signing up at BetMGM to take advantage of this welcome offer.
How to sign up for BetMGM in Missouri
Select your bonus offer.
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What our Post expert thinks about Missouri vs. Alabama State
Alabama State has already dropped its two power-conference tests by an average of 32.5 points, and its defensive profile hasn’t suggested much resistance.
The Hornets bring two of the SWAC’s top scorers in Asjon Anderson and Micah Simpson, they are giving up 81.4 points per game and allowing opponents to shoot 45.3 percent from the floor.
Missouri’s rebounding edge should matter — the Tigers pull nearly 40 boards per game while Alabama State is giving up 37.4 a night and just surrendered 18 offensive rebounds to UT Martin.
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Why Trust New York Post Betting
Sean Treppedi handicaps the NFL, NHL, MLB and college football for the New York Post. He primarily focuses on picks that reflect market value while tracking trends to mitigate risk.
