Supreme Court decision could bolster Hawley in race for Senate

JEFFERSON CITY • Although the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against Missouri in a case focusing on religious freedom Monday, the decision could be another political notch in the belt of the state’s top lawyer.

Attorney General Josh Hawley (R), who is being touted as a potential candidate for the U.S. Senate in the 2018 election, praised the high court’s decision giving churches the same right as other charitable groups to seek state money for nonreligious needs.

“With today’s ruling, the United States Supreme Court has made clear that the First Amendment does not permit government to discriminate against churches or religious organizations on the basis of faith,” Hawley said in a statement.

Hawley, a political novice, won his first bid for political office after highlighting his role in another religious freedom case before the Supreme Court.

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