Missouri Campaign Ad Criticizes AG Bailey

Police organizations have denounced a new TV ad accusing Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey of being too lenient on a repeat offender during his time as a local prosecutor.

Why it matters: The ad, paid for by Defend Missouri, a PAC supporting Bailey’s opponent Will Scharf in the GOP primary, has sparked significant backlash for politicizing the shooting death of a police officer and potentially jeopardizing Bailey’s ongoing prosecution of the suspect.

The details:

• The ad focuses on Bailey’s prosecution of Kenneth Lee Simpson in 2017, when Simpson pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges and received six-month sentences.
• In 2023, Bailey, now serving as Missouri’s Attorney General, is prosecuting Simpson for the shooting death of Hermann Police Det. Sgt. Mason Griffith.
• The ad alleges that Bailey’s past leniency led to the death of Sgt. Griffith.

The reaction: The Missouri Fraternal Order of Police and the Law Enforcement Legislative Coalition have criticized the ad, calling for it to be taken off the air and for Scharf to issue an apology.

• “The ad demonstrates a complete and utter disregard for Det. Sgt. Griffith’s family, including his wife and two young sons,” said the FOP, which endorsed Bailey last year.
• Bailey’s campaign labeled the ad as a “last-ditch attempt to score cheap political points” and accused it of showing a “complete disregard for the victims.”

The suspect’s history: Court records show Simpson has faced criminal charges at least 20 times since turning 17 in 2004, including felonies and misdemeanors.

What’s next: The ad has raised questions about Bailey’s past prosecutorial decisions but has faced significant backlash for its method and timing, particularly from those closest to the victims of last year’s tragic events.

In related news, candidates in the Missouri gubernatorial and attorney general races plan to continue running ads featuring fire and explosions, despite calls to reduce the temperature of the nation’s political climate following the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

The details:

• State senator and gubernatorial candidate Bill Eigel’s ad shows him using a flamethrower, while attorney general candidate Will Scharf’s ad depicts him using a device resembling a grenade launcher.
• Both candidates have stated they will continue running these ads, with Eigel emphasizing his commitment to a “bold message” and Scharf’s campaign accusing the left and media of “seizing on gun control” in the wake of the attempt on Trump’s life.

The big picture: Political science professor David Kimball, Ph.D., expressed doubt about the likelihood of political leaders heeding calls to tone down rhetoric, stating, “I do think it’s worth all political leaders taking a step back and thinking about that. I don’t think I’m real optimistic about it.”

Full story

Kenneth Lee Simpson, a man with a long criminal history, is at the center of a controversy involving Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey. A new TV ad paid for by Defend Missouri accuses Bailey of being too lenient on Simpson during his time as a local prosecutor in 2017. The ad focuses on Bailey’s decision to file misdemeanor charges against Simpson, who pleaded guilty and received six-month sentences for fourth-degree assault and unlawful possession of a weapon in 2018.

In 2023, Simpson was involved in the shooting death of Hermann Police Det. Sgt. Mason Griffith and the injury of another officer while Bailey was serving as Missouri’s Attorney General. The 30-second ad, narrated by Ray County Sheriff Scott Childers, alleges that Bailey’s past leniency led to the tragic events of 2023.

Missouri AG under fire for leniency

It has drawn criticism from law enforcement organizations like the Missouri Fraternal Order of Police and the Law Enforcement Legislative Coalition, who argue that the ad politicizes Griffith’s death and could jeopardize Bailey’s ongoing prosecution of Simpson. Bailey’s campaign has labeled the ad as a “last-ditch attempt to score cheap political points” and accused it of disregarding the victims.

They have called for Bailey’s opponent in the GOP primary, Will Scharf, to demand the ad be taken down and issue an apology to the affected families. Court records show that Simpson has faced criminal charges at least 20 times since 2004, including incidents involving shooting at car windows and a sheriff’s deputy’s vehicle. After his arrest in 2023, Simpson claimed he intended to commit “suicide by cop” and did not originally plan to kill anyone but himself.

The ad has sparked a heated debate about Bailey’s past prosecutorial decisions and the appropriateness of using such a tragic event for political gain, particularly so close to the August 6 primary election.