Distinct voices vying for Missouri governor’s seat

By Charles Christian

The retirement of Gov. Mike Parson means someone new will be chosen on Nov. 5 to occupy the Missouri governor’s mansion.

The Republican candidate in the race is hoping to take a step up into that seat. Current Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe points to the years of political experience he brings to the table, having served in the state senate, as senate majority leader and most recently as Missouri’s second in command. Kehoe said his background building a business and having a working ranch in Missouri also prepared him for the next step as the state’s chief executive.

“I came from a single-parent household. We grew up with very humble beginnings,” Kehoe said. “I worked my way up washing cars and eventually bought my own business. Forty years ago I got in the cow/calf business, so I understand the agricultural world, as well.”

Kehoe said his administration has three key priorities: crime, economic stability and education.

“Crime is the number one issue I hear about from Missourians,” Kehoe said. “So, when my hand comes off the Bible, should Missourians choose me on Nov. 5, the first thing we’ll do is enact a day-one crime plan.”

From there, Kehoe hopes to highlight the need for further economic development that he said will benefit small businesses.

“Missouri still has a way to go where we can ease the tax burden on our citizens,” Kehoe said. “So, we will address tax structure issues because I believe Missourians can spend their money better than any government official ever could.”

Kehoe added that continued emphasis on workforce development started by Parson, who appointed him as lieutenant governor in 2018, would complement the economic plan with an emphasis on programs to get young people trained to meet the needs of businesses across the state.

Kehoe supports Senate Bill 727, recently signed into law by Parson, that provided pay raises for teachers, and also expanded school choice for parents.

Democratic candidate Crystal Quade, who grew up in rural Missouri in a working-class household, was the first in her family to graduate high school. She went on to earn a degree from Missouri State University. Most recently she has served as Democratic leader of the Missouri House of Representatives. Given her educational background, it is no surprise that education funding is a high priority in her campaign.

“Missouri currently ranks last in things like education funding and teacher pay,” Quade said. “My main opponent is part of the current administration that has been failing in this and other areas of funding.”

Part of her health care agenda includes support for Amendment 3, which would guarantee abortion rights in the Missouri Constitution. She said her concern is that an abortion ban would also lead to prohibitions on birth control and in-vitro fertilization.

“I absolutely support Amendment 3,” Quade said, “and as governor will ensure that when folks vote ‘yes,’ that it is upheld. I believe that politicians have no business in our doctors’ offices and our personal lives.”

Quade said increased funding for education and providing stronger support for small businesses in Missouri are also key priorities of her campaign. She also said that a better-trained workforce for businesses in Missouri is necessary.

Quade added she sees herself as an opposition to the status quo. Likewise, Libertarian candidate and longtime Missouri businessman Bill Slanz said his approach would offer an even more recognizable departure.

Slanz, the former chair of Missouri’s Libertarian Party, said he advocates for more personal freedom and less government control.

“We look to downsize government,” Slanz said. “We look to the government as not being the answer for all things.”

Consequently, Slanz’s campaign is emphasizing local solutions to things like education and caring for those in need. He said local communities have a better idea than government officials about how they can best tackle the challenges their community faces. Therefore, government should focus resources on ways to assist local communities without exercising too much control.

For Slanz, the government’s main role would involve protecting personal security and strong infrastructure throughout the state, minimal government intervention in business and having law enforcement focus more on crimes against “persons or property.”

Green Party candidate Paul Lehmann also is running for governor.