Gov. Nikki Haley to speak at fundraiser for Missouri gubernatorial candidate

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Facing a potentially crowded GOP primary in 2016, Missouri gubernatorial hopeful Catherine Hanaway now has backing from South Carolina’s Republican Gov. Nikki Haley.

Haley is scheduled as the keynote speaker during a fundraiser for Hanaway set for June 18 at Hunter Farms in St. Louis, the estate of former U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Stephen Brauer.

Haley, South Carolina’s first female governor who was re-elected in a landslide victory in November, is the first governor to publicly support Hanaway. If elected, Hanaway would also make history as Missouri’s first female governor.

Missouri’s top political donor, Rex Sinquefield, so far has been one of Hanaway’s primary supporters, and last year contributed nearly $900,000 to her.

A political consultant for Haley was not immediately available to comment to The Associated Press on Monday.

The fundraiser comes as Hanaway, a former U.S. attorney and Missouri House speaker, is prepping for a showdown with at least two other Republican candidates. Haley’s trip to St. Louis marks the first time a nationally known Republican officeholder is weighing in on the race, which could set apart Hanaway’s campaign from her competitors’.

Republicans former state Rep. Randy Asbury and Sen. Mike Parson also are running for governor, and several others have expressed interest. Eric Greitens, a Navy SEAL and author, and suburban St. Louis businessman John Brunner have launched committees as they explore a potential bid.