Missouri’s governor has been criticized for promoting civility in politics

State Sen. Bill Eigel, one of three Republicans vying to succeed Republican Gov. Mike Parson, said on social media Parson was concerned that “he’s good” at a time when “Democrats are destroying our cities, maiming our children , trampling on our rights and defunding our police.”

The ad, from the National Governors Association, features Parson and Kelly sit down for a barbecue. “We’re committed to arguing better,” Parson said.

“What a joke,” said Aigel. “JC [Jefferson City] needs to be accounted for.”

“This is why Republicans lose elections,” Eigel said.

Vicar, speaking on Kansas City radio Host Pete Mundo fired back at Eigel, who has long clashed with the governor’s office.

Such high-profile skirmishes with Parson could serve as a way for Eigel to gain exposure and boost the three-way GOP primary. The state senator has failed to gain traction in opinion polls.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with being nice sometimes. I mean, I kind of grew up in that era,” Parson, 68, said.

“I’ve never lost an election in my life,” Parson continued. “If his entire campaign is based on attacking governors and Republicans and policies up here right now, he needs to take a good look and he’s in this room for a long time.

“Things are going well for us. And that’s because of a lot of policy that we put in place,” Parson said.

Parson said it was the “easiest thing in the world” to constantly focus on negative things, but that gubernatorial candidates should focus on what they’re going to do to improve the state.

Later Wednesday, Eigel cited a recent Department of Economic Development statement that said “Missouri’s GDP and productivity growth has been lower than the nation and Missouri’s Midwestern peers since 2010.”

The statement was included in a request for bids last week from the state calling for an “industry cluster assessment” to “identify industry clusters at various stages of development, analyze their structure and recommend policy interventions to strengthen them.”

The petition states that “industrial clusters” are associated with more and higher paying jobs, new business creation and higher productivity.

“While employment growth in Missouri has kept pace with its peers, lagging productivity growth could lead to slower wage growth for Missourians,” said the request, which was first reported by Missouri Scout on Tuesday.

The request for proposals calls for “innovative strategies” to “identify and strengthen Missouri’s mature, emerging and potential industries.”

“What world does @mikeparson live in?” Aigel asked. “Jeff City needs a reckoning.”

Other GOP candidates also include Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe.

Parson has signaled his support for Kehoe, who has raised money from the other two Republican candidates. The qualifier is on August 6.

Eigel’s current campaign theme is similar to his first run for office in 2016, when he narrowly won the three GOP primaries as a political underdog.

“Voters were looking for someone who wasn’t part of the political system before,” he said in 2016. “They’re looking for a different direction.”

In September, Eigel and Sen. Nick Schroer, R-Defiance, used flamethrowers to burn a stack of cardboard boxes at a St. Louis County political event. Charles. A video of the two men was widely shared on social media.