Mike Kehoe Secures Missouri Gop Nomination For Governor

Missouri Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe emerged as the front-runner in the race for the Missouri governor’s mansion in the upcoming November election. Kehoe secured victory in the Missouri Republican primary on August 6, surpassing his closest GOP contenders. By 12:15 a.m. ET on August 7, with over 95 percent of the votes counted, Kehoe garnered 39.4 percent of the vote, surpassing Missouri State Senator Bill Eigel with 32.5 percent and Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft with 23.3 percent.

In his victory speech, Kehoe expressed pride in his campaign while recognizing the divisions within the party. He emphasized the significance of the future of Missouri, urging Republicans to avoid conflicts and focus on defeating the unfavorable policies proposed by Washington.

Kehoe received an endorsement from outgoing Governor Mike Parson, providing him with a significant advantage over the Democratic Party candidate in the November election. It’s worth noting that no Democrat has won a statewide election since former State Auditor Nicole Galloway’s victory in 2018. The Republican Party currently holds control over the executive branch and both houses of the legislature in Missouri.

Kehoe assumed the role of lieutenant governor in 2018 after being appointed by Parson. Prior to his appointment, Kehoe served in the Missouri Senate for nearly seven years, holding the position of majority leader during his tenure. In 2020, he won a full term as lieutenant governor.

The Democratic Party’s candidate, Crystal Quade, was selected in the primary by Democratic voters. Quade, the minority leader of the General Assembly’s House, will compete against Kehoe in the upcoming general election. As of approximately 12:15 a.m. ET, with more than 95 percent of the vote counted, Quade secured victory in her primary with 50.2 percent of the vote.

At her election night event in Springfield, Quade emphasized her commitment to addressing the concerns of the people by prioritizing issues such as affordable childcare and healthcare.

Alongside receiving endorsements from Parson and various state agriculture, business, and law enforcement organizations, Kehoe emerged as the fundraising leader leading up to the election. However, prior to the Republican Party’s primary vote on August 6, no clear frontrunner had emerged among the three candidates.

In his victory speech, Kehoe acknowledged concession calls from both of his challengers, Ashcroft and Eigel. Eigel, who positioned himself as the outsider in the race, gained national attention through inflammatory advertisements.