8 GOP candidates can’t run as Republicans, MO judge rules. They’d refused morals test

Candidate vetting in Missouri was handed a victory in court Thursday. The result is that eight candidates, all registered Republicans running for office in rural Vernon County, will not be allowed to stay on an August primary ballot as Republicans. The candidates had refused to take a “moral values” survey and undergo other vetting by the county’s Republican committee. A circuit court judge on Thursday evening ruled that the county clerk improperly placed their names on the ballot. “I think the judge ruled correctly,” said Mark McCloskey, the attorney representing...