CLEVELAND, MO (KCTV) -
Former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin was in Missouri on Friday night on behalf of Republican senate candidate Sarah Steelman during the Steelman Surge BBQ and Picnic in Cleveland, MO.
Palin took the stage preaching her message of small government and conservative values, but also pledging support for Steelman.
"Sarah has something that I greatly admire in a leader. She has the backbone to stand up for what is right and to stand up to the powers that be even in her own party," Palin said.
Steelman said Palin's support has been a huge boost to her campaign.
"She has affirmed that I'm a fiscal conservative. That I'm the kind of person that we need in Washington, D.C. to change Washington," Steelman said.
For 15 minutes, the former VP candidate praised Steelman to the hundreds of supporters who attended the rally. Afterwards, Palin stuck around and served barbecue to the crowd.
John Brunner is also campaigning for the Republican nod. Thursday he was in Riverside, MO for his "Get America Working Again" tour.
"Now we have a regulatory situation and an energy situation because Claire McCaskill, two years ago, said she hated coal," he said.
Brunner was at Holliday Sand and Gravel discussing his plans to spur jobs in Missouri.
Representative Todd Akin is also hoping to snag the Republican nomination. Earlier this week he campaigned in Springfield, MO. Akin was elected to Congress in 2000.
The incumbent is Democrat Sen. Claire McCaskill. She has held the seat since 2006.
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Sarah Palin speaking to the crowd. Courtesy: KCTV5's Dave Jordan
Todd Palin watching his wife speak. Courtesy: KCTV5's Dave Jordan
