Ann Wagner's Campaign Adds Veteran Staffer

Republican Ann Wagner’s campaign for Congress got a bit of a boost with the addition of veteran GOP operative Aaron Willard to her campaign.

Willard – a Lincoln County native who’s worked as a chief of staff for two Speakers of the Missouri House and behind the scenes politically for the House Republican Campaign Committee – will become Wagner’s campaign manager in early November. He will leave his current job of executive director for the HRCC, a group in charge of electing Republicans to the Missouri House.

“I am extremely excited about this opportunity and proud to be a part of Ann’s campaign,” said Willard in a statement. “For nearly 20 years Ann has dedicated her time and passion to helping conservative candidates get elected in Missouri. Whether walking neighborhoods as a Lafayette Township Committeewoman or as Missouri Republican Party chairman, Ann’s commitment has always been to the grassroots of Missouri.”

Meanwhile, Wagner’s opponent in the 2nd Congressional District primary – attorney Ed Martin – brought in gun rights advocate Dick Heller as a drawing point for his campaign. Heller was the plaintiff in Heller vs. District of Columbia, the case in which the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed an individual’s right to keep and bear arms for self-defense.

Heller endorsed Martin’s campaign in this web video.

“Dick Heller is an inspiration, a testament that each of us can have a role to play in preserving our great nation. Heller’s determination, perseverance has upended decades of liberalism chipping away at our 2nd Amendment rights,” Martin said in a statement. “I was honored to have Dick spend a few days with us, and I am honored to have his support.”