One Campaign is Quite Confident With the Addition of Steve Hunter to the Republican Field

I was reading David Catanese's piece on the Politico tonight about the addition of Steve Hunter, the Joplin Republican to the list of candidates looking to replace Roy Blunt. One quote caught my eye in Catanese's piece.

"He's a big time former state representative. This is devastating for Gary," said a GOP adviser tied to a rival campaign. (By the way Mr. Roe, I know what is more devastating for Mr. Long.)

If I were a betting man, I would guess this GOP adviser is tied to Billy Long's campaign. I think that's what Long hopes anyway, but what they don't realize or maybe they do, are the red flags that pop up concerning ethics in Jasper County regarding the meager Hunter political empire.

Like I said before, it wouldn't surprise me if this former Mel Hancock protege was asked to put his name on the ballot for two reasons--hurt Nodler in Joplin and give Billy Long some cover for the three ethics complaints filed against him. This feels like a Jeff Roe move, and I have a feeling Catanese spoke to Roe or someone close to Roe. Billy Long is a desperate man, and he knows once these ethic complaints are mainstream, he isn't going to be able to hide behind his simple campaign themes that he hoped to ride to office on.

The bottom line is, with all the political dirt attached to Steve Hunter through his wife Rita, is it really that devastating to Nodler, or is Billy Long just hopeful it will be?