Mike Kehoe Triumphs in Missouri Governor's Race Over Crystal Quade
In a decisive victory on election night, Republican Mike Kehoe emerged victorious in the Missouri governor's race, defeating Democrat Crystal Quade. The Associated Press had called the race early, with Kehoe securing 52% of the vote compared to Quade’s 46%, as results came in with 22% of precincts reporting. Kehoe’s win marks the latest chapter in a career that has seen him rise through Missouri’s political ranks, including serving six years as lieutenant governor after being appointed by Governor Mike Parson in 2018.
Kehoe’s path to the governor’s office was far from smooth, as he first had to navigate a competitive Republican primary in August. Despite trailing in the polls to Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft earlier in the race, Kehoe leveraged a massive $16 million campaign fund to dominate the airwaves, outspending his rivals and ultimately securing a victory with just under 40% of the vote. Kehoe’s message focused on governance over partisan politics, a theme that resonated with many voters tired of the divisive political landscape.
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Kehoe, a businessman and former state senator, comes from humble beginnings. The youngest of six children, he was raised by a single mother in St. Louis, who worked multiple jobs to support the family. Kehoe himself worked from a young age, washing cars at an auto dealership before buying a struggling ambulance manufacturing company. Over the next five years, he turned the company around, making it one of the largest of its kind in the world. He later bought a Ford dealership in Jefferson City, establishing deep roots in the community. His success in business, coupled with his political experience, provided a strong foundation for his run for governor.
Throughout the race, Kehoe maintained a focus on governance and practical solutions, rather than getting caught up in the political noise. "Missourians are a little bit sick of hate politics," he remarked in a July interview. This message of unity contrasted with Quade’s warnings about Kehoe’s alignment with more conservative factions of his party. Quade, a seasoned Democratic leader in the Missouri House, argued that Kehoe would be just as extreme as the other Republican candidates when it came to signing legislation into law.
Looking ahead, Kehoe has already laid out some of his key priorities as governor. These include plans to eliminate the state income tax and create a comprehensive crime-fighting strategy that he hopes to present when the legislature reconvenes in January. As Missouri’s next governor, Kehoe’s victory marks a significant shift in the state's political landscape, signaling a continued conservative leadership while also addressing the need for practical, results-driven governance.
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