Missouri Governor

The Missouri Governor is elected for a term of 4 years and can serve up to a maximum of 8 years due to constitutional term limits. Governor candidates must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for 15 years, and a resident of Missouri for 10 years.

The Governor is the highest elected official in the Executive Branch. The Executive Branch of government is in charge of enforcing laws made by the Legislative Branch. Some of the governor’s powers include choosing directors of state agencies, selecting citizens for boards and official groups, and filling empty positions in county offices. The governor also appoints judges. The governor has the power to pardon individuals who have committed crimes. Special sessions for the legislature can be called by the Governor.

The governor is the commander-in-chief of the Missouri National Guard.

Each January the governor delivers a speech called the “State of the State” to the Missouri Legislature and submits a state budget. After the legislature passes a bill, the governor has the power to sign the bill into law or prevent it from becoming a law by vetoing it. When the governor vetoes a bill, the legislature can pass it anyway if 2/3 of both houses vote for it.

In the August 6 Governor Democratic primary, the candidates are: Eric Morrison, Crystal Quade, Sheryl Gladney, Hollis Laster and Mike Hamra.

On the Republican side, the candidates are: Jay Ashcroft, Mike Kehoe, Bill Eigel, Chris Wright, Darrell McClanahan, Jeremy Gundel, Robert Olson, Darren Grant, and Amber Thomsen.

The top two Republican Governor candidates, Jay Ashcroft and Mike Kehoe, are polling at a statistical tie. Here is a comparison of Ashcroft vs Kehoe.

Jay Ashcroft is the current secretary of state since 2017 and son of former Governor John Ashcroft (1985-1993). He is an attorney and engineer.

Ashcroft is pro life and has the endorsement of former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and received the sole endorsement from Missouri Right to Life in this crowded race.

Ashcroft wants to end Missouri personal income tax. “State government spending has increased 90 percent in the last five years, exploding from $28 billion to $51 billion. This indefensible spending increase was done with the complicity of Jefferson City Republicans, who have supermajorities in both the House and the Senate.” Ashcroft has criticized the legislators violating the spirit of the Hancock amendment that limits growth of state government.

On government subsidizing National league sports stadiums; Jay Ashcroft, said he is “opposed to providing taxpayer subsidies to keep sports teams.” (Missouri Independent)

Mike Kehoe is the current Lieutenant Governor of Missouri, since 2018. He served as a state senator from 2011 to 2018 with a mixed voting record on liberty issues.

Kehoe is endorsed by the Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and the State Fraternal Order of Police Union. There is a consistent theme from the 25 organizations that have endorsed Kehoe, their members are government funded or seek government handouts.

Kehoe is an all American success story. He was born into a poor family, worked hard, learned business and started successful companies including a Ford Dealership and a manufacturing company. He grew up in the city, but moved to the country and learned farming. Kehoe is actively involved in farming today.

On government subsidizing National League sports stadiums; Kehoe is the polar opposite of Ashcroft. His campaign manager, Derek Coats, said Missouri deserves a governor “who will fight for jobs and economic growth.”

“Mike Kehoe will not watch passively as other states poach our businesses,” Coats said. “As governor, he will use every tool at his disposal to ensure Missouri is a state that welcomes investment, creates jobs and spurs economic growth.” (Missouri Independent) That translates into taxing you to subsidize sports stadiums.

Missouri voters turned down a gas tax increase at the polls. However in 2021, the legislature ignored the will of the voters and passed a phased in gas tax increase from 17 cents per gallon to a high of 29.5 cents in 2025.

Kehoe supported the gas tax increase. Ashcroft opposed the gas tax increase.

Ashcroft and Kehoe are both good men. They have vastly different visions for how to improve Missouri.

Kehoe believes in central planning using tax credits, subsidies and the power of government.

Ashcroft believes in the free market and that lower taxes give consumers more money to spend as they choose and that allows the economy to grow on its own. Does that sound familiar? It is the same policy Ronald Reagan used to get us out of the recession created in the 1970s.

On August 6, I will vote for Jay Ashcroft.

Missouri voters will get to decide their parties’ candidates for Governor, Lt Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer, all 163 state reps, 17 of 34 state senators, and many local offices on August 6, 2024.