Professor says GOP primary political advertising is especially ‘heated’ this year | Elections [Video]

COLUMBIA — If you’ve watched television or been on social media lately, you likely have been inundated with political advertising.

Missourians will vote next week to decide who will appear as their party’s candidate for state offices on the November ballot.

While politicians always increase advertisement spending during election years, some feel the rhetoric used in this year’s GOP gubernatorial race is especially controversial.

MU political science professor Peverill Squire says that this year’s advertising reflects the current state of the Republican party.

“It’s all an internal Republican war at the moment,” Squire said. “It’s a little unusual to see it get (this) heated.”

While a large part of general election campaigns are focused on gaining the support of moderates, Squire says politicians are focused on energizing the most politically active voters to support their campaign at the ballot box. The voters that participate in primaries typically identify closer to …