Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is putting on a blitz for Missouri Republican Senate candidate Sarah Steelman after endorsing her two weeks ago.
The 2008 vice presidential candidate is appearing with Steelman at a barbecue in Cleveland, Missouri near Kansas City Friday. This represents Palin's first campaign appearance with Steelman since the endorsement,
CNN reports. Palin appeared in an ad and recorded a robocall for Steelman earlier this week.
Palin has high praise for the former state treasurer: "Sarah is an economist who defends our tax dollars – like a mama grizzly defends her cubs," Palin said.
Right back at you, the candidate says. "I am so grateful to have Gov. Palin's support, and very excited to say she will be coming into Missouri to participate in this BBQ," Steelman said in a statement. "I know she will excite folks to come out and take a strong stand against the status quo."
Steelman faces a hotly-contested primary Tuesday against businessman John Brunner and Rep. Todd Akin. The winner takes on vulnerable Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill. A recent Mason-Dixon poll showed Brunner leading with 33 percent support, followed by Steelman with 27 percent, and Akin with 17 percent.
Palin has a perfect endorsement record for Senate primaries this year. She backed winners Orrin Hatch in Utah, Deb Fischer in Nebraska, and Ted Cruz in Texas.
As for Steelman, the Tea Party Express also supports her. It sent out an appeal for donations Thursday saying, "With all of the political world's focus on the Senate election in Texas, which resulted in Tea Party candidate Ted Cruz's victory, the Missouri race has been over-shadowed. We are sounding the alarm that the election is this Tuesday."
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