Trump a factor in surprisingly close Missouri Senate race

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Ask Republican Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri about his party's presidential nominee and you'll likely get a polite but weary response.

From Trump's feud with the parents of a Muslim U.S. Army captain killed in Iraq, to his comments interpreted by some as a suggestion that gun rights backers should commit violence against Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, he's grabbed attention that has coincided with a big dip in the polls in recent weeks.

[...] he's also a war veteran who served as an Army intelligence officer in Afghanistan, and his campaign plays up his military background.

[...] he cites evidence that Missouri voters consider each candidate individually, rather than vote party lines:

While Republicans John McCain and Mitt Romney carried Missouri in the past two presidential elections, Democrats won nine of 11 statewide races over that same span.

If fewer Republican voters show up and vote for the Republican ticket, it's essentially negative coattails.

[...] he said he's more likely to vote for Blunt because of his endorsement.