Kehoe formalizes Missouri governor campaign with local supporters

Josh Cobb/News Tribune photo: Supporters of Republican Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe say the pledge of allegiance before Kehoe takes the stage to launch his campaign for Missouri governor at the Capital Bluffs Event Center on Tuesday evening, May 16, 2023. Kehoe has owned and operated several small businesses in central Missouri and been a civic leader for over 30 years.
Josh Cobb/News Tribune photo: Supporters of Republican Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe say the pledge of allegiance before Kehoe takes the stage to launch his campaign for Missouri governor at the Capital Bluffs Event Center on Tuesday evening, May 16, 2023. Kehoe has owned and operated several small businesses in central Missouri and been a civic leader for over 30 years.


Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe formalized his 2024 campaign for Missouri governor Tuesday with an announcement to a crowd of early Jefferson City supporters.

"Our campaign is going to be about grassroots," Kehoe told a packed Capital Bluffs Event Center. "There are so many people who have been with me since the start. As I told several of you, you've been with me since zero -- since before the first step I took in this political process and I can't do it without you."

Kehoe has been open about his plan to replace term-limited Gov. Mike Parson since 2021 and has been racking up endorsements and campaign donations since.

He released his first campaign advertisement at Tuesday's kickoff and gave a taste of his campaign stump speech, which largely focused on the need to address crime, education shortcomings and economic development.

Kehoe is one of two Republican statewide elected officials to announce a campaign for governor, as Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft announced his bid in early April. Additionally, state Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, announced he's exploring a run. No Democrats have announced a gubernatorial campaign.

With more than a year before the primary election, political action committees supporting those three have already started releasing advertisements.

In his role as lieutenant governor, Kehoe presides over the state Senate, steps in for the governor when he's away from the office and oversees programming focused on veterans, seniors and Missouri-based businesses.

Kehoe was elected to the role in 2020 after initially being appointed by Gov. Mike Parson in 2018. The office was empty because Parson moved into the governor's office following the resignation of Eric Greitens.

Prior to statewide office, Kehoe served as majority leader while representing Jefferson City and the rest of the sixth district in the Senate for two terms. He was born and raised in north St. Louis but has lived in Mid-Missouri for nearly 30 years, becoming well-known after purchasing a car dealership and becoming the youngest Ford dealer in the country at the age of 30.

Tuesday's campaign event was attended by first lady Teresa Parson, multiple state agency directors, local city and county officials and at least a dozen state elected officials.

Sen. Mike Bernskoetter, R-Jefferson City, said he is "absolutely" endorsing Kehoe for governor. He's displayed strong knowledge of business, agriculture and the legislative process, Bernskoetter said.

"He's a great people person," Bernskoetter added. "He's got all kinds of things in his background that make him the perfect person to lead the state of Missouri."

Kehoe said he initially ran for office to "bring a small businessman's perspective to state government" and that's why he's running for governor as well. He said voters are tired of "hate politics mode" and said he could broker compromises without giving up conservative values.

Kehoe said he traveled 55,000 miles within the state last year and crime is the top issue he heard about. He said too many schools in the state are failing children and more could be done in the economic development arena to increase opportunities for Missouri families.

"Many of the problems we face are difficult but they are fixable," Kehoe said. "But the key is to be building relationships and I can tell you that our administration will be building relationships with all sectors across the state. It doesn't matter where you came from or what you had, we know that working together is how you solve problems here in Missouri. ... If you're not in the people business, you need to get out of town, because the people business is where it's at."

  photo  Josh Cobb/News Tribune photo: Republican Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe launched his campaign for governor of Missouri Tuesday evening at the Capital Bluffs Event Center.