ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - A candidate for Missouri Republican Party Chair says allowing so-called "purity tests" for GOP candidates would be a "disaster".
Former Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder has been endorsed by Missouri Governor-elect Mike Kehoe and other party leaders to take over as chairman of the state party.
Kinder says if he's called to lead state Republicans, he would focus on party unity.
When asked about division between more moderate elements of the party and the Freedom Caucus in Jefferson City, Kinder tells KMOX News the conflict has to end.
"Some of those people now are calling for 'purity tests', that is if you tow the line on our checklist of issues and if you don't pass it, you may not run as a Republican and you will be cast into outer darkness," said Kinder on 'Total Information A.M.' "I have set my face against that approach. I am opposed to purity tests."
Kinder says tactics like "purity tests" only create division in the party.
"These people actually want to vet candidates for local offices for the legislature and even for state-wide offices to decide as sort of gatekeepers of who is a good Republican and who isn't," said Kinder. "I think that is way off the cliff for our party."
Kinder believes if Republicans in the Missouri legislature had been more unified last session, they might have passed initiative petition reform, and it also could have meant defeat for Amendment 3 on reproductive rights.
"I don't believe we ought to be able to amend our fundamental governing document by a vote of 50% +1," said Kinder. "It ought to be a higher threshold, just as amending the U.S. Constitution is very difficult to do."
State Senator Bill Eigel, who previously ran for Missouri Governor in the 2024 Republican Primary, is also considering a run for party chair.
Meanwhile, Missouri Democrats have voted to keep former Congressman Russ Carnahan as their party chair.