GOP Senate candidate 'proud' Rush Limbaugh inducted into Hall of Famous Missourians

Republican Senate candidate Sarah Steelman on Tuesday defended Rush Limbaugh's induction into the Hall of Famous Missourians.

"To me it is not controversial," she told KFNS radio. "He is a famous Missourian. He made a difference in talk radio. I know the family quite well, they are very patriotic and have contributed a lot to our state, and I'm proud that he is being inducted. It was a very nice ceremony and he had some great things to say about Missouri."

The Associated Press described the induction on Monday as a “secretive ceremony,” noting that the event was closed to the public and only certain guests, including more than 100 Republican lawmakers, were allowed to attend. Police stood guard outdoors to prevent uninvited guests from entering.

Steelman attended the induction ceremony.

Limbaugh’s bust will be displayed at the Capitol alongside other members of the Hall of Famous Missourians, including President Harry Truman and author Mark Twain.

Steelman, who is running against incumbent Sen. Claire McCaskill (D), was questioned whether it would be acceptable to induct someone like radio host Howard Stern into the Hall of Famous Missourians.

Steelman said it would be wrong to induct Stern because he was "vulgar," but it was right to induct Limbaugh because he talked about "conservative ideas."

Listen to the interview, clipped by Progress Missouri, below: