Missouri Republican Ed Martin is getting help in his run for state attorney general from Texas Governor Rick Perry. Martin and Perry campaigned Monday in Columbia.
Martin, a St. Louis lawyer who was chief of staff to former Governor Matt Blunt, is challenging Democratic Attorney General Chris Koster. At Bleu Restaurant Monday, Perry compared Martin’s campaign to an SEC football event.
“One thing I know about Ed Martin is that he’s going to be fighting for the people of this state," Perry says. "You know, competition is what makes us all stronger. The Missouri Tigers and Texas Reveilles are finding that out in the SEC right now. Having a competitor at the attorney general’s office is going to be a very powerful thing and is going to make Missouri stronger and the citizens of this state will be well represented.
Perry and Martin also took part in a private round-table discussion of business issues, and spoke to voters on the restaurant's patio. Mark Huggins, a Columbian native, says he supports both Martin’s and Perry’s future plans for the Republican Party.
“I hope for them to lead the Republican Party and bring some new hope to the party and some new ideas and regain control of things in Washington," Huggins says. "I think we’re out of control and spending out of control how we manage this country and how we’re interacting with countries around the world. It just seems like we’re a runaway train right now.”
Perry says Martin would be a partner in pushing back against the federal government on issues such as health care and education. Opposition to the federal health care overhaul has been a key part of Martin's campaign.
