Josh Hawley has announced multiple lawsuits and investigations. What has he accomplished?
Hawley had said at a news conference that Greitens likely committed felony computer tampering before taking office. Greitens fired back with a statement saying that Hawley was "better at press conferences than the law." A little more than a month later, Greitens resigned, retreating to his
The episode was striking -- two young, conservative outsiders trading barbs.
But Greitens is not the only person to question Hawley's motivations and effectiveness.
Adversaries portray Hawley, 38, as a young man in a hurry -- someone more interested in headlines than results.
Hawley points to accomplishments that range from helping to orchestrate a sex trafficking
Now that Hawley is running for
Accomplishments
When he took office in early 2017, Hawley oversaw a chaotic office-wide restructuring that was followed by high turnover, the
Despite that turnover,
Hawley also settled a decadelong legal battle between blind Missourians and the state over the
After reporting by the Columbia Missourian on the state's sexual assault kit testing backlog, Hawley launched an audit of the problem. He documented 5,424 untested kits, though many police agencies did not respond to questions. His office also landed a federal grant to help ease the backlog.
Hawley said his consumer protection section has obtained
"They often do it at less pay than they could get in the private sector," Hawley said in an interview. "And they're doing a good job."
Hawley's new Federalism Unit took 14 actions to torpedo federal laws and regulations, including the Affordable Care Act, the
The attorney general has made other moves that garnered both praise and criticism.
On
The company owners questioned the accuracy of his allegations and insinuated the lawsuit was filed to burnish Hawley's credentials.
"The Attorney General's suggestion that BDV and Ripley flouted safety concerns in the name of profits is nothing more than baseless hyperbole, aimed at leveraging and stoking passions in the aftermath of this tragedy in an effort to polish the Attorney General's prosecutorial credentials," the companies' attorneys wrote in court documents.
"People will fight me, accuse me of things all the time," Hawley said. "I would just say to the Branson duck boat folks --
"I don't want them operating duck boats anywhere in
Hawley also has announced several investigations during his tenure, including one into possible Catholic clergy sex abuse, two related to tech companies Google and Facebook and another related to pharmaceutical companies under allegations of opioid pill pushing. He also announced an investigation into Equifax after a data breach last year.
"I'm most proud of standing up to the big and powerful on behalf of the people of
Hawley sued several pharmaceutical companies last summer. The
"Those investigations are going to take years to complete," Bindbeutel said, referring specifically to the tech probes. "When you yell them (investigation announcements) from the mountaintops, it makes one wonder, 'Is this about yelling from the mountaintops, or is this about doing a straight up, legitimate, thorough investigation of an issue?'"
Greitens' ghosts
Hawley has not updated the public in months on his investigation into Greitens' former charity, The Mission Continues, and whether Greitens or others illegally used charity resources for personal or political gain.
He was also investigating to see whether Greitens or his staff illegally used taxpayer resources for campaign purposes, but it is unclear where that probe stands.
Hawley said at an August press gaggle that the probes were ongoing. He has unsurprisingly avoided mention of Greitens on the campaign trail.
"Greitens' resignation handed Hawley a great gift," said
Meanwhile, two private attorneys have continued to probe the Greitens administration.
Gross is sparring with Gov.
While Pedroli continues to gather evidence that he says shows Greitens and his staff broke the law, Hawley's office said in March it found no evidence of wrongdoing.
In another case, Hawley used the merchandising practices law to sue the
Hawley alleged in his August lawsuit that the housing authority and
Problems at the complex, built in 1942, became widely known after mice invaded the complex last fall. While mice infested an estimated 165 of 358 units last December, the
The housing authority and
The housing authority and
Hawley says the criticisms sound like "excuses."
"We are going to hold them accountable no matter how much they kick and scream and make excuses," he said. "These are people's homes were talking about."
To Hawley's critics, the headline-grabbing announcement was just that: a headline-grabbing announcement. The two sides are not even scheduled to appear in court for an initial review until
"I think it's more political than anything," said Sen.
Greitens, a former Navy Seal, founded The Mission Continues in 2007. His alleged use of a fundraising list from the charity is under investigation.
Grab a beer with the
Grab a beer with the
From
Hawley vs. McCaskill: Coverage of the 2018
Ask your questions about the 2018 Missouri election
Political Fix
Ask your questions about the 2018 Missouri election
*
* (...)
How
Political Fix
How
*
* (...)
Critics say Hawley's administration bled staffers and dedicated limited resources to firing salvos toward the federal government. They say he ...
Political Fix
Hawley says he doesn't support ad implying African-Americans will be targeted if
*
* (...)
In the ad, two black women discuss the bitter confirmation process of
McCaskill, Hawley trade barbs, compliments in
Political Fix
McCaskill, Hawley trade barbs, compliments in
*
* (...)
The candidates clashed on questions about the growing deficit, gun restrictions and the Affordable Care Act among other issues.
Political Fix
McCaskill,
*
* (...)
It's a tried-and-true Democratic message: That Republicans are coming after your
National politics
Race turns nasty over
*
* (...)
Project Veritas, a conservative group that produces "sting" videos intended to embarrass liberal organizations and media outfits, took the videos.
Raasch: A margin-of-error election in the Show-Me state
National politics
Raasch: A margin-of-error election in the Show-Me state
*
* (...)
National politics
In fight over ethics changes, Hawley is a 'no' vote
*
* (...)
The Clean Missouri initiative, known as Amendment 1, would limit lobbyists from giving public officials anything valued at more than
National politics
McCaskill has outraised Hawley by almost 4-1, but he entered October with more campaign cash
*
* (...)
Hawley began October with more than
The
Political Fix
The
*
* (...)
That independent spending, separate from what Hawley and McCaskill are spending on their own campaigns, has already surpassed
National politics
Poll:
*
* (...)
The poll by Reuters,
Outside of D.C. hothouse,
Political Fix
Outside of D.C. hothouse,
*
* (...)
In
Political Fix
Hawley solicits donations in wake of Kavanaugh confirmation; McCaskill's appeals have more subtly referenced vote
*
* (...)
Within a half hour of the vote, Hawley sent out a fundraising email praising Kavanaugh and asking for donations.
Banks back key
Political Fix
Banks back key
*
* (...)
Commercial banks have so far donated a total of
Political Fix
Hawley raises money at the
*
* (...)
Hawley was one of five Republican candidates for the
As the world burns, don't expect to hear much about it in
Political Fix
As the world burns, don't expect to hear much about it in
*
* (...)
But in the state's
Obama hasn't endorsed McCaskill. Why not?
National politics
Obama hasn't endorsed McCaskill. Why not?
*
* (...)
Obama twice lost
Political Fix
McCaskill touts independence in new ad, but
*
* (...)
In the ad, a widely circulated Sen.
Ad check: Hawley on pre-existing health conditions
Political Fix
Ad check: Hawley on pre-existing health conditions
*
* (...)
Hawley, as the state's lawyer, has added
McCaskill, a dark-money critic, lauds black voter registration effort partially funded by it
Political Fix
McCaskill, a dark-money critic, lauds black voter registration effort partially funded by it
*
* (...)
McCaskill lauded the "good news" of an outside group partially funded by undisclosed donors aiming to register 100,000 black voters in
Political Fix
Hawley says special counsel should investigate Feinstein's handling of Kavanaugh allegation
*
* (...)
Following the line other
Hawley blasts
Political Fix
Hawley blasts
*
* (...)
Their disagreement -- expressed by Hawley on Twitter and by McCaskill in an interview with the
Political Fix
In
*
* (...)
Political committees aligned with Senate Democratic Leader
Political Fix
*
* (...)
There's "no county more important in this entire state than the one we are sitting in right now," Republican
At Hawley campaign rally, Trump focuses on DOJ
Political Fix
At Hawley campaign rally, Trump focuses on DOJ
*
* (...)
Trump made the future of Kavanaugh and the federal judiciary a centerpiece of his rally in
McCaskill's 'dark-money no' on Kavanaugh falls in the middle of a campaign saturated by outside spending
Political Fix
McCaskill's 'dark-money no' on Kavanaugh falls in the middle of a campaign saturated by outside spending
*
* (...)
McCaskill to vote 'no' on
Political Fix
McCaskill to vote 'no' on
*
* (...)
McCaskill, said her call was based primarily on what she said was Kavanaugh's position that seemed to favor the survival of "dark money" in politics.
Political Fix
Hawley:
*
* (...)
The process "is exactly the kind of thing that voters in my state, at least, say is wrong with
Ad check: Who's really on the side of insurance companies?
Political Fix
Ad check: Who's really on the side of insurance companies?
*
* (...)
McCaskill is the second-biggest recipient of insurance company money across the board in this election cycle so far, according to the nonparti...
Political Fix
Trump plans Friday night rally in
*
* (...)
Trump will be stumping for Republican
Political Fix
Blunt, McCaskill, Hawley, weigh in on Kavanaugh allegation
*
* (...)
Political Fix
Ten votes that help define
*
* (...)
The 10 votes below are markers in determining the validity of her claims of independence -- and of Hawley's assertions that she is usually a re...
First debate: Hawley, McCaskill spar
Political Fix
First debate: Hawley, McCaskill spar
*
* (...)
In a forum sponsored by the
After the
Political Fix
After the
*
* (...)
McCaskill reported an adjusted gross income of
News
When it comes to releasing tax returns,
*
* (...)
With less than two months to go in the 2018 race for a pivotal
Political Fix
For McCaskill, Kavanaugh nomination shapes up as Gorsuch II -- with a twist
*
* (...)
Like a handful of other
Political Fix
Poll: McCaskill, Hawley in dead heat
*
* (...)
Likely voters come down in a 47-47 percent tie when asked just about Hawley and McCaskill in the NBC News-Marist poll.
Political Fix
McCaskill, Hawley walk tightrope in response to Manafort and Cohen
*
* (...)
Rather than join calls for Trump's impeachment, McCaskill said special counsel
How big is
Political Fix
How big is
*
* (...)
Data compiled by the group from
Political Fix
McCaskill '100 percent in favor' of minimum wage question; Hawley 'not so sure'
*
* (...)
Hawley says he has not decided whether he will vote to raise the minimum wage in November.
Political Fix
*
* (...)
The ad, however, leaves out context. Advocates, law enforcement and survivors of sexual violence have for years sounded the alarm on sexual as...
Political Fix
Messenger: From Montana to
*
* (...)
The insidious nature of dark money is everywhere these days in
Political Fix
*
* (...)
In a speech to pastors and church members in
Political Fix
National business group goes after McCaskill in new TV ad
*
* (...)
After meeting with Supreme Court nominee, McCaskill offers no hints
Political Fix
After meeting with Supreme Court nominee, McCaskill offers no hints
*
* (...)
McCaskill met with President
Amid Trump tariff troubles, Hawley urges owner of
Political Fix
Amid Trump tariff troubles, Hawley urges owner of
*
* (...)
"The negotiation over tariffs should not be an excuse for you to kill American jobs and consolidate Deacero's nail manufacturing to
Political Fix
Reacting to Trump's policies is challenge for Hawley, McCaskill
*
* (...)
"I think it's going to be tricky for both of them, but from day to day I change my mind on who's going to have the tougher time," said Jeremy ...
Political Fix
Raasch: In aspirational America, politicians are sometimes the ones who least understand
*
* (...)
If some politicians didn't mistake "knowing what the average person goes through" with "I'm one of you," they wouldn't fall into the perpetual...
Political Fix
What do
*
* (...)
In response to
Profile:
Political Fix
Profile:
*
* (...)
From his early days as a law clerk to his life in private practice, the Republican has focused on legal cases where religion and the law inter...
Profile: The raging centrist ambitions of
*
* (...)
"What I see clearly is that where we get things done is in the middle, when we work together, when people compromise. And we don't have, frank...
Political Fix
Endorsement:
*
* (...)
The pick was not a surprise after the group passed over McCaskill in her two previous elections, but McCaskill had hoped the organization woul...
On at least one topic -- the media --
Political Fix
On at least one topic -- the media --
*
* (...)
"The media say a lot of things that people disagree with, but I don't think they're the enemy of the people, no," Hawley told a
Political Fix
*
* (...)
The two
Political Fix
In flip from 2016, a referendum in
*
* (...)
The
Hawley, McCaskill head to easy primary wins to set up nationally watched
Political Fix
Hawley, McCaskill head to easy primary wins to set up nationally watched
*
* (...)
Hawley and McCaskill challenged each other to a series of one-on-one debates.
At VFW event, Trump stumps for Hawley
Political Fix
At VFW event, Trump stumps for Hawley
*
* (...)
President
Political Fix
Outside money flows into
*
* (...)
Even before Hawley won the Republican nomination, ads pit him as the likely winner to face off against McCaskill in November.
Raasch: You say Missour-ee, they say Missour-uh -- let's get this
Political Fix
Raasch: You say Missour-ee, they say Missour-uh -- let's get this
*
* (...)
So, who is the most authentic Missourian this week?
Political Fix
*
* (...)
Her re-election chances this fall could depend heavily on how she votes on the nomination, how she explains that vote, and how her Republican ...
Political Fix
McCaskill reports
*
* (...)
The fundraising was more than twice the amount raised in that time by Hawley -- with 85 percent of McCaskill's money coming in donations of les...
Political Fix
Hawley's first TV ad in
*
* (...)
Hawley's ad tries to connect the fight over Trump's choice to
Political Fix
Hawley, who slammed McCaskill for raising money in
*
* (...)
But Hawley himself was in
Trade tensions send waves through
Political Fix
Trade tensions send waves through
*
* (...)
"I certainly expressed concerns for the ag community on this looming trade war," McCaskill said, "and what a devastating impact that could hav...
Political Fix
Hawley, who said
*
* (...)
Sen.
McCaskill disputes claim that her RV tour of
Political Fix
McCaskill disputes claim that her RV tour of
*
* (...)
"Sen.
Political Fix
With Trump stirring the pot, the 2018 election is returning to 2016 themes
*
* (...)
The mix of issues this time around also is familiar: health care, tax cuts, immigration, the economy, the Supreme Court, trade.
With Greitens gone, the spin cycle now turns back to
With Greitens gone, the spin cycle now turns back to
*
* (...)
Political Fix
Poll: McCaskill holds slight lead over Hawley
*
* (...)
The poll by Missouri Scout, a nonpartisan political news service, found McCaskill leading Hawley with 48 percent of the vote, to his 44 percent.
Political Fix
Poll: Majority of Missourians think it's time for new senator
*
* (...)
A new Morning Consult poll also shows McCaskill with the worst job-approval ratings of any incumbent Democrat running in states won by Preside...
Political Fix
Hawley raises
*
* (...)
Hawley's campaign pointed out he is raising money at a faster pace than Democratic challenger
Raasch: Clash of Trump, Greitens survival strategies reverberates in
Political Fix
Raasch: Clash of Trump, Greitens survival strategies reverberates in
*
* (...)
As the prospect of
Political Fix
Poll: McCaskill, Hawley in tight match
*
* (...)
The Mason-
Political Fix
McCaskill first-quarter fundraising:
*
* (...)
With seven months to go in the campaign, McCaskill has now raised roughly
Political Fix
In
*
* (...)
McCaskill's
Political Fix
McCaskill's
*
* (...)
Horrigan:
Political Fix
Horrigan:
*
* (...)
Hawley will have to work pretty hard to out-country McCaskill. Every time she runs for office, she turns into Country Claire, harkening back t...
Political Fix
Missouri
*
* (...)
Surrogate targets
In
Political Fix
In
*
* (...)
Trump, in
Hawley attacks elites, hints at populist
Political Fix
Hawley attacks elites, hints at populist
*
* (...)
"
Political Fix
Poll: McCaskill holds narrow lead over Hawley
*
* (...)
In the latest indication of the volatility of the race, McCaskill's 2 percentage point lead (42-40) over Hawley in the new poll by
Political Fix
Poll: McCaskill is 8 points behind Hawley
*
* (...)
The poll result put her in a more precarious position than all but two Democratic incumbents in the
Is
Political Fix
Is
*
* (...)
On major votes, ranging from taxes to health care to abortion rights, McCaskill is often tethered to her party's line, although she says that'...
Political Fix
Missouri AG Hawley now facing whispers of buyer's remorse within party
*
* (...)
One of Hawley's top supporters, former
Political Fix
Hawley blames sexual revolution for sex trafficking
*
* (...)
"You know what I'm talking about, the 1960s, 1970s, it became commonplace in our culture among our cultural elites,
Political Fix
Hawley's
*
* (...)
Hawley raised less than
Political Fix
McCaskill raises
*
* (...)
McCaskill, D-
Is
Political Fix
Is
*
* (...)
McCaskill had robust fundraising in 2017, pulling in roughly a million dollars a month. Even though she tries to disown them, outside spending...
Trump talks taxes, throws support to Hawley in
Political Fix
Trump talks taxes, throws support to Hawley in
*
* (...)
President
Political Fix
Hawley-McCaskill rhetoric sharpens on tax reform, results of Tuesday's elections
*
* (...)
"You cannot be all things to all people," McCaskill added. "That is the one piece of advice I'd give
Political Fix
McCaskill: 'Dancing with the Stars' voters key to 2018 election
*
* (...)
McCaskill portrayed voters as not necessarily attuned with all the back and forth of
Political Fix
Hawley alleges McCaskill has ruled out tax reform. The record says otherwise.
*
* (...)
McCaskill, a Democrat, has criticized Republican tax ideas she says will coddle the rich at the expense of the middle class. But she has said ...
Political Fix
McCaskill raises
*
* (...)
McCaskill's fundraising set a
Political Fix
With Hawley in, it's a wild-card
*
* (...)
Trump thumped Democrat
Hawley officially says he'll run for
Political Fix
Hawley officially says he'll run for
*
* (...)
In the video, he talks in general terms about issues on which he believes the status quo has failed, including jobs, taxes and health care costs.
___
(c)2018 the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Visit the St. Louis Post-Dispatch at www.stltoday.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Guest opinion: As Utahns consider Proposition 3, they would do well to consider what happened in Kentucky
Trump Administration Makes It Easier For States To Sidestep ACA Rules
Advisor News
- Year-end planning errors retirees should avoid
- Social cultivation: How to talk with wealthy prospects
- How important is a written financial plan?
- Coalition wants to advise people impacted by policy changes in new administration
- Diagnosing miscommunication in retirement planning
More Advisor NewsAnnuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
- ACA rates on the rise as future of enhanced subsidies in question
- Beware of scams during open enrollment for insurance
- New Jersey Assembly to Decide on Health Coverage for Biomarker Testing | Insurify
- CVS Health cuts 42 more jobs linked to Aetna Hartford HQ
- A look at health savings accounts
More Health/Employee Benefits NewsLife Insurance News