Palin endorses Sarah Steelman in Missouri Senate primary

— -- Sarah Palin chose sides Tuesday in the contentious Missouri Senate Republican primary, endorsing former state Treasurer Sarah Steelman.

"I am honored and proud to receive @sarahpalinusa endorsement!!" Steelman tweeted late Tuesday. "She's a courageous fighter who knows that the status quo has to go!?#mosen?." Steelman is competing against Rep. Todd Akin and businessman John Brunner in the Aug. 7 Republican primary to take on Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill this fall.

McCaskill publicly referred to Steelman in 2009 as her state's own Sarah Palin. "Alaska doesn't know that we have our own 'Sarah,'" McCaskill said at a Democratic event, later clarifying that her remarks were a compliment lauding Steelman's communication skills and willingness to buck her party.