2024 MO Governor's race: on Homeland Security

Bill Eigel: Calls for restrictions on foreign ownership of farmland

Bill Eigel: Ensure veterans' sacrifice is honored when they return home

Bill Eigel, who served in the Air Force, said he was "stunned to hear one of the candidates up here say he's really not interested in looking into veterans' issues or helping them out." Eigel, who is running a hard-right campaign for governor, later shared a video of Ashcroft's comments on social media. "I know first hand the struggles that our veterans and active military personnel face. I lost friends. I saw the struggle upon returning to the States," he wrote on social media. "I disdain the ruling elite who send our men and women to die in their wars, all while doing nothing to ensure their sacrifice is honored when they return home."

Crystal Quade: Serious leaders recognize our veterans

[Several of Ashcroft's Republican opponents criticized Ashcroft, and] Crystal Quade, a Springfield Democrat who is running for governor, also criticized Ashcroft. "We need serious leaders in our state & Jay isn't up to the task," Quade wrote on social media.

The Democratic Governors Association also weighed in. Emma O'Brien, a press secretary for the DGA, said Thursday that Ashcroft was "an insider politician who only looks out for himself, but wants to rip away benefits from members of the military and veterans who put their lives on the line to protect our freedom. It's shameful."

Jay Ashcroft: Special benefits for veterans unfair; treat everyone equally

Ashcroft, responding to the criticism, said in a statement it was "shameful that we have failed to fulfill our commitment to our veterans. I honor [their] service and as Governor will make our commitment to them a priority, without qualification."

Mike Kehoe: Never treat our veterans as anything less than heroes

Republican Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, who is also running for governor, said that for Ashcroft "to treat our veterans as anything less than heroes is disrespectful to all veterans and their families." Kehoe's role as lieutenant governor includes serving as an advocate for veterans. "Communities across our state value our nation's heroes and their service and sacrifice to our country, and they would want their governor to do the same," he wrote on social media.

Bill Eigel: Chinese Communist Party poses serious threat

A: Strongly Agree. I have sponsored legislation to BAN all foreign countries from buying land in Missouri. I have also filed a constitutional amendment to take back all the land currently in foreign hands. My amendment to ban all foreign countries from owning land passed the Missouri Senate this year.