JEFFERSON CITY 鈥 A Republican candidate seeking to unseat Missouri鈥檚 appointed attorney general has scheduled a fundraiser next week at his parents鈥 home in Florida.
Will Scharf, a former U.S. prosecutor from Clayton, recently sent out invitations to prospective donors for an event in Palm Beach on Dec. 5.
The fundraiser takes place at the $32 million home of Michael and Fiona Scharf, where Scharf formerly lived and was registered to vote. The dress code calls for 鈥渂usiness casual鈥 attire.
鈥淲e鈥檙e proud to have support from conservative supporters in both Missouri and around the nation,鈥 Scharf said Tuesday.
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But Mike Hafner, a spokesman for Attorney General Andrew Bailey鈥檚 campaign, said Scharf鈥檚 decision to raise money in the Sunshine State shows he lacks support within Missouri and may be trying to buy the election with his parents鈥 money.
鈥淎ndrew Bailey ain鈥檛 no fortunate son,鈥 Hafner said. 鈥淏y the end of this campaign, Missourians are going to have a hard time relating to the Duke of Palm Beach.鈥
The elder Scharf and his wife retired to Florida in 2007 after spending more than 35 years acquiring and developing industrial and metal companies.
Fundraising in out-of-state venues is not uncommon. Gov. Mike Parson, for example, raised funds in Florida during the 2020 Super Bowl festivities. U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri also raised money in Florida.
Bailey, who was appointed to the post by Parson in January, earlier sought campaign cash for his political action committee during at least one event in Washington, D.C.
And, Scharf鈥檚 former boss, Eric Greitens, also tapped into a national donor base when he ran for governor in 2016.
Scharf said the practice makes sense for him because he was in contact with numerous people from across the nation when he worked in former President Donald Trump鈥檚 administration for a short period in 2020.
Currently, Scharf is on a legal team appealing a gag order imposed on Trump in a trial over his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.
The most recent fundraising reports show Scharf with $886,000 in his campaign account as of Oct. 1. Bailey鈥檚 personal account had $462,000.
Both also have political action committees that are raising money for the campaign.
Democrats in the race include Rep. Sarah Unsicker, D-Shrewsbury, and attorney Elad Gross.
