An area state senator can tout the support of the entire Republican establishment in his bid for state treasurer, the executive director of the Missouri Republican Party said Tuesday.

Democratic opponent Rep. Clint Zweifel, of Florissant, said he doesn’t think that’s necessarily a good thing.

In a conference call with reporters Tuesday, Jared Craighead of the Missouri GOP said Sen. Brad Lager’s status as the only Republican in the primary will help him beat Mr. Zweifel come November. Mr. Lager originally hailed from Maryville, Mo., but now lives in Savannah, Mo.

“Clearly Clint is not known in the state,” Mr. Craighead said. “I don’t think he’ll be very competitive.”

Mr. Craighead noted that Mr. Zweifel outspent Arnold Mayor Mark Powell in the primary, but described his victory as a slim one.

Mr. Zweifel raised $476,742 during the primary election and had $155,943 in cash on hand, according to campaign disclosure reports filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission eight days before the primary.

Mr. Powell had raised $43,063, with $2,122 remaining.

On primary election night, Mr. Zweifel nabbed 31.8 percent of the vote, or 103,256 votes, while Mr. Powell took in 92,855 votes, or 28.6 percent.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Mr. Zweifel told the News-Press. “If I was Brad Lager, I’d be worried.”

Mr. Zweifel said voters in the general election would fault Mr. Lager for carrying Gov. Matt Blunt’s agenda, noting his support for the cuts to Medicaid and sale of student loan assets.

Mr. Zweifel said after campaigning his message throughout Missouri, his win in the primary could only strengthen his chances in the general election.