Will Scharf puts $500,000 into his campaign for statewide office in Missouri

Republican Will Scharf has not yet formally declared which statewide office he plans to seek in 2024.

But on Tuesday, the former assistant U.S. attorney and policy director in Gov. Eric Greitens’ brief administration donated $500,000 to his own campaign.

Scharf, 36, is widely expected to run for attorney general. He was among the candidates being considered to replace Eric Schmitt when Schmitt won election to the U.S. Senate. But instead, Gov. Mike Parson selected Andrew Bailey, general counsel in the governor’s office, for the appointment.

Bailey was sworn into office on Tuesday, and has publicly committed to running for a full term in 2024.

If he does decide to challenge Bailey, the $500,000 would give Scharf an early fundraising advantage. Bailey, 41, has yet to create a political action committee, though he has begun fundraising through an independent PAC connected to lobbyist Steve Tilley, a former lawmaker and longtime friend and adviser to Parson.

Other names floated as possible candidates for attorney general in 2024 include former U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison, state Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer and John Wood, who for several months this year was running as an independent for U.S. Senate.