Huckabee, Wagner Woo Supporters

Former Gov. Mike Huckabee tapped core conservative issues in his endorsement of Congressional candidate Ann Wagner on Thursday, rallying supporters in advance of Republican primaries in August.

In a speech that touched on issues ranging from the cost of gasoline to the curricula of public schools, Huckabee praised Wagner’s political and personal life.

“This is a family that has lived the values we talk about,” Huckabee said. “If you can manage a household, if you can manage a small business, if you can serve in capacities as she has … you have a really good understanding of the full-scope of America.”

Huckabee said the endorsement was likely to be one of less than a dozen Congressional races nationwide that the former Arkansas Governor planned to support a candidate in.

Following the decision of Ed Martin to drop out of the race for the 2nd Congressional District in favor of a bid for state attorney general, Wagner is expected to face Dr. Randy Jotte of Webster Groves this summer.

With a primary opponent that entered the race late last month, Wagner rallied supporters at the Chesterfield’s Drury Plaza Hotel by focusing attention on the policies of Democrats in the U.S. Senate and White House.

“They want America to look more like Europe where they spread the wealth around,” said Wagner, who started her campaign for the 2nd District last summer. “They want Americans dependent on government, and they want a federal government that is already too big to get even bigger. To that, I say no.”

Huckabee, who also does political commentary on the Fox News Channel, said Wagner’s experience with her father’s small business, her pro-life policy and her push to lower the cost of living all helped garner his support.

“I’m not going to support people … if they don’t believe that every life has intrinsic worth and value,” Huckabee said to an enthusiastic crowd of supporters.

Guests in attendance at the event included Ballwin Alderman Mark Harder, who said he plans to support Wagner throughout the 2nd District race. Harder said he supports Wagner in part because of her experience, which includes being a member of the Lafayette Township Committee, Chairman of the Missouri Republican Party, and co-chair for the Republican National Committee. 

“She’s been around politics a long time, has been living in the 2nd District her whole life, she knows the opportunities and the problems that we face here and I think she can represent us well,” Harder said.

In addition to the endorsement from Huckabee, Wagner also has been backed to date by former U.S. Attorney General and , and .