Missouri
Missouri presidential delegates rejected by Republican National Convention committee • Missouri Independent
The Missouri Republican Party must replace 54 national convention delegates and alternates selected at its chaotic state convention because of “alarming irregularities” in the process, the Republican National Convention Committee on Contests ruled Friday.
The list of rejected delegates includes two of the major GOP candidates for governor, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and state Sen. Bill Eigel.
“The committee holds that the State Convention was not properly credentialed, and that any slate of delegates and alternate delegates adopted at the State Convention must be discarded,” states the report signed by Chairwoman Jeanne Luckey of Mississippi.
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The committee acted after investigating complaints from state convention delegates Daniel O’Sullivan of St. Louis County and Derrick Good of Jefferson County.
They alleged delegates to the state convention were not properly credentialed as the convention was organized, that the rules for selecting the state’s at-large delegates were improperly changed during the convention and that some delegates were listed on more than one slate of names in violation of the rules.
The committee, after determining that the complaint about credentialing had merit, wrote that it did not need to consider the other complaints and made no ruling on them.
“Contestants have provided ample proof of alarming irregularities in the state convention’s credentialing procedures, including the absence of names on delegate lists, the distribution of delegate credentials to alternate delegates without confirming who they were replacing, and the failure to ensure alternate delegates were raised from the same counties as the delegates they were replacing, among other things,” the report stated.
The committee’s ruling gives the state party executive committee until 5 p.m. Friday to select a new set of at-large delegates and alternates.
The executive committee will meet that deadline, the Missouri Republican Party said in a statement to The Independent.
The state party had no role in the determination by the national Contests Committee, the statement read.
“We understand the urgency and importance of this matter and are working diligently to ensure that all proper procedures are followed within the constrained deadline,” the statement read. “While this process unfolds, we remain focused on selecting a delegation that will represent Missouri well at the RNC.”
O’Sullivan, who ran for Congress in 1996 and has been a member of the St. Louis County Republican Central Committee for more than 20 years, said the ruling highlights just one set of problems springing from the convention.
“They can’t produce a list of who was in attendance,” O’Sullivan said. “They can’t certify who the delegates to the convention were, so the committee can’t say that the product of the convention was valid, and they therefore did not even deal with the questions we had regarding things that occurred during the event itself.”
O’Sullivan expects to be on the list of delegates that will be selected to replace those elected at the convention.
So does Good, a Jefferson County attorney who also has been a long-time county committee member.
“The State Executive Committee will put together a new delegate list by the end of the week, and I’m confident those are folks that are committed and able to participate,” Good said.
The main fight at the convention was between people relatively new to the convention process and those who had been party stalwarts with many conventions under their belts. It became clear after the congressional district conventions that the faction that would buck the party establishment had a convention majority.
The projected timeline for the convention was for it to have all delegates seated by 9 a.m., the time it was officially scheduled to begin, and for all business to be completed by 2 p.m. The credentialing process, however, took five hours and the only business completed by 2 p.m., when the convention took a lunch break, was the election of Sophia Shore of Camden County, as convention chair over Eddie Justice.
Shore manages Eigel’s campaign for governor.
“The MO GOP, whether it be nefarious intentions or just incompetency, completely botched their one job — credentialing,” Shore said in a statement to The Independent. “It is asinine that the contest committee would accept a challenge that was orchestrated by the MO GOP on the basis of their own error and then reward them for their incompetence.”
Missouri has 54 delegate votes at the GOP national convention in Milwaukee, which is set to begin July 15. Of that number, 24 were elected at eight congressional district conventions in April and 27 were elected as at-large delegates at the state convention on May 4. Three additional delegate slots are reserved for party leaders.
There were also 27 alternates selected at the state convention.
All delegates were elected on slates to fill all available seats but a change in rules during the afternoon session made The Truly Grassroots for Trump slate the only one presented for a vote.
The executive committee should restore the delegation without changes, Shore said in her statement.
“The MO GOP should own their mistakes, re-submit the Truly Grassroots for Trump slate elected by the convention delegates, and be done with it,” she said.
Many of the delegates selected at the convention have not reserved their hotel rooms in Milwaukee and seem unlikely to attend, Good said. But they would not have been removed as delegates if the rules written before the convention had been followed, he said.
“If they just played by the rules, there would be no complaint,” Good said. “They had the votes. They did a good job of building a coalition going into it.”
The delegate slates prepared, but ultimately withdrawn, had the same goal as the now-discarded delegates who were selected, to re-elect Trump, he said.
“There’s a place to have these kinds of fights,” he said. “There are rules to have them under, and then at the end of the day, hopefully we find a way to come back together for the common goals.”
The afternoon session was marked by disputes over whether those who left for lunch could re-enter the convention, whether the rules could be changed and how slates of delegates and amendments to the platform had to be presented to be in order.
“When the credentialing went to hell, the confidence in the people running the convention was lost,” O’Sullivan said.
After the vote, delegates drifted away and the convention ended, without adopting a platform, when there was no longer a quorum to conduct business.
“The event itself was embarrassing,” O’Sullivan said.
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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Zaxton King’s 18 points helped Missouri State defeat UT Arlington 78-68 on Tuesday night.
King shot 5 of 14 from the field, including 2 for 5 from 3-point range, and went 6 for 6 from the line for the Bears (3-1). Vincent Brady II scored 14 points, shooting 4 for 9 (2 for 3 from 3-point range) and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line. Jalen Hampton and Dez White both added 12 points and Hampton had 12 rebounds.
The Mavericks (2-3) were led by Jaxon Ellingsworth, who posted 19 points and six rebounds. Darius Burford added 14 points and nine rebounds for UT Arlington. Raysean Seamster also had 14 points, six rebounds and two blocks.
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The 2024-25 Missouri boys high school basketball season is about to tip-off and it is a great time to take a look at the Top 25 teams in the state. Follow our rankings each of the season as we track who moves up, or down, based on the results.
The Red Devils feature a roster full of college prospects. They appeared in the Class 6 championship game last season and returned most of their production. Jahadi White Jr, Jamison White, Jonny Jordan, and Ben Winker all hold Division 1 offers.
Jimmy McKinney leads Vashon as their new head coach. His first year roster is led by Missouri State signee Trey Williams and Dehrio McCaskill. His son Jimmy McKinney Jr. is a highly touted 2027 prospect. The Wolverines have championship DNA.
De Smet return as Class 5 champions with a potential move up to the Class 6 in the coming weeks. They return all key starters & role players. North Dakota State signee Riley Massey and 2026 prospect Ian Thomas lead a talented backcourt.
Oak Park is coming off a 27-5 season that led them to Mizzou Arena in March. They’re loaded with upperclassmen that have experience. 6’5 guard Corbin Allen leads the way and fills up the box score.
The Bulldogs have a tough task trying to replace the production of Dontrez Williams. With that being said their core of PJ Farmer, Trace Sadler, and Tristan Wiggins will make noise in Class 5. They’re deep at the guard position. Marquel Murray was a big transfer statewide.
Burroughs will be a tough out for most programs in the state. They have a frontline that’s tough to match up with. 6’9 Tristan Reed and 6’10 Sheek Pearson are both high-major prospects. The Bombers won 27 games last season.
The Trailblazers feature a dominant backcourt duo in Mizzou signee Aaron Rowe and Exavier Wilson. The two have years of chemistry built. Blake Pingeton completes the roster as a 6’7 swingman. Could this be the year for Tolton in Class 4?
Staley have established themselves as a top overall program in the state. Chris Neff is an excellent coach. 6’7 senior Xavier Wislon is their go-to guy. Scoring at a high clip will be senior guard Avian Webb. This group went 23-6 last season.
Principia will be a squad to watch early. They’ve compiled a ton of talent in the 2026 and 2027 classes and are led by legendary coach Jay Blossom. No doubt they are a factor in Class 4. Keep an eye out for 2026 guard Quentin Coleman.
The Statesmen are young but talented. Justin Mathes is a tremendous coach that has talent at his disposal. One thing is a given, they’re going to compete. 2027 Scottie Adkinson has built a reputation as one of the best nationwide. 2028 Miles Simpson will play early and often.
Vianney lost Eddie Smajic and Symon Ghai but still have a well-rounded team around Southern Illinois signee Luke Wlash. They’re a strong three point shooting team coming off a 25 win season.
A top program in SWMO, the Chiefs have much of their core still in place. Reese Kimrey and Jackson Shorter will form an excellent pick & roll duo. Mitch McHenry knows what it takes to make deep playoff runs as a coach.
Battle has some of the best guards in Missouri. Their up-tempo style will apply pressure on the defensive end. Last season they went 20-8 while playing a tough schedule. 2027 Brandon Rooks is a name to know.
One of the best returning teams in Class 6. This is a group who clicked late in the season. They have chemistry and should continue to build in a winning direction after a 20 win season.
Helias is a sneaky good team following a handful of transfers this off-season. They have a host of 2026 prospects who will make major contributions. A contender in Class 5.
Springfield Central retains Keion Epps and Bryce Walker from a team who went far last season. Replacing Tyrique Brooks and his production as a committee will be key to keeping continuity.
The Bruins are an older squad with a host of players who produced last season. Reese Minnix and Brady Davidson are a formidable frontcourt tandem. Last season they went 22-6 with nearly all of their scoring coming back.
The Dragons are a wild card. They could end up being much higher when it’s all said and done. The star is Zyree Collins who some consider the offensive best player in Missouri. He’s surrounded by a strong supporting cast.
A team with tons of potential. The Broncos are a group that could make noise in 2024-25’. Junior wing Tre Paulding is someone that can be special for this team. They play a tough early slate in conference.
Howell were a few possessions away from making state last season. Their 24-6 team from last year returns senior Will Paulson who’s a 6’7 forward leading them in scoring. Their backcourt is explosive as well.
Rogersville is built around two important pieces. One is their coach, Jon Schaefer, who’s a top coach in Missouri. The other is 2027 point guard Chase Branham. He’s one of the best prospects in the state regardless of class holding a Mizzou offer.
Westminster have won and won often under Dale Ribble. He has developed a strong culture around the program and they’re a safe bet to stay on this list. JD Robertson is a key senior while sophomore guard Will Powers is a name who could emerge.
The Jays will look a lot different in 2024-25’. They’ll be led by new coach Ethan Williams. The first year coach will be in good hands at the forward spot. 2025 Arkansas Baseball commit Jordan Martin is a machine on the court.
The Lions are a team going through a rebuild but make no mistake about it, they’ll compete and win their fair share of games. That’s the culture on North Spring Avenue. A tough out for anybody in the state due to their defensive ability.
Rolla will look to win their district following a 22-6 season last year. They’ve proven to compete well vs. tough competition and have a dynamic talent in 2026 Ethan Brown. The junior guard has a chance to lead this team in all major categories.
President-elect Donald Trump tapped two Missouri members of the legal team for jobs in the new administration, naming D. John Sauer solicitor general and Will Scharf assistant to the president and White House staff secretary.
Sauer, who lives in the St. Louis suburb of Town and Country, was Missouri solicitor general from 2017 through 2022 under Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt. In that job, he led Missouri’s unsuccessful effort alongside other GOP attorneys general to keep Trump in power by challenging the 2020 election results.
More recently, Sauer successfully represented Trump at the U.S. Supreme Court in his bid for immunity from being criminally charged for trying to overturn the 2020 election. The justices voted 6-3 along ideological lines in July to give Trump immunity from some official acts he took as president.
As solicitor general, Sauer will be responsible for litigating the federal government’s positions at the U.S. Supreme Court.
“He is a legit genius, an incredible lawyer and I’m thrilled for him and his family,” Schmitt posted on social media.
Scharf, who ran unsuccessfully against Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey in the GOP primary, briefly served in the administration of former Gov. Eric Greitens before moving to Washington, D.C., to work for the advocacy organization Judicial Crisis Network, focused on judicial confirmations and nominations, most notably Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
In 2020, he returned to Missouri to work as an assistant U.S. attorney in St. Louis. Alongside Sauer, Scharf was part of the team advising and defending Trump in his myriad criminal trials over the last year.
In his new job, Scharf will decide which memos, briefings and reports will go to the president and who should weigh in on issues and speeches.
“Will is a highly skilled attorney who will be a crucial part of my White House team,” Trump said in announcing Scharf’s appointment, later adding: “Will is going to make us proud as we Make America Great Again.”
This story was first published at missouriindependent.com.
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