Missouri General Election Update; Kehoe Elected Governor

On Tuesday, Nov. 5th, Missouri voters headed to the polls to cast their votes for numerous federal, state and local elections. As Missouri has been dependably a “red” state for the recent election cycles, there were really no surprises on the federal or statewide election results. 

Missouri elected a new Governor, Mike Kehoe, along with the many officeholders in the Missouri Senate and the House of Representatives, who won and are getting ready for the 2025 General Assembly which begins January 8th. Missourians decided six ballot issues amending the state’s Constitution and state statutes.

The media attention primarily focused on the two of the six ballot questions as large amounts of money flowed on both sides of the two controversial issues of legalized sports betting and abortion restrictions. Surprisingly, both measures passed by slim margins. Regarding the abortion question, it was expected to provide a bump to many House and Senate legislative districts for Democrats, but we did not see that occur in the result. The sports betting measure had stiff opposition from one of the largest casino operators in our state and strong support by the in-state professional sports teams. The sports betting question passed by the slimmest of margins and Missouri will now join most of their border states in allowing this type of gaming.

Before Tuesday’s elections, super majorities were held by Republicans in the state’s General Assembly: a 111-52 advantage in the House of Representatives and a 24-10 majority in the Senate. The numbers are the same for the 2025 General Assembly.

Incumbent members of the Missouri House of Representatives who lost their general election races include State Rep. Jamie Johnson (D-Kansas City) and State Rep. Chris Lonsdale (R-Liberty). For the 2025 session, a large influx of freshman lawmakers will begin their terms in the legislature. The Missouri Senate will have 10 new members in their 34-member body (29%), while the House will have 54 new members of their 163-member chamber (33%). 

The party caucuses in the House of Representatives and the Senate will meet this week in Jefferson City to nominate and elect leaders for the new General Assembly. At this point we expect the House Speaker to become Jon Patterson (R-Lee’s Summit) and the Senate President Pro-Tem to become Cindy O’Laughlin (R-Shelbina). Patterson and O’Laughlin are currently the majority floor leaders of their chambers and should face an easy election by the caucuses to their new leadership roles.

The following link are the unofficial results, according to the Secretary of State’s website, of general election races that attracted the most attention from Missouri voters: https://enr.sos.mo.gov/

Key Upcoming Dates

December 1, 2024 – First day of bill filing

January 8, 2025 – First day of Legislative session January 13, 2025 – Inauguration Day

January 20, 2025 – No session, Martin Luther King Jr. observance

March 17-21, 2025 – No session, Spring Break

April 21, 2025 – No session, Easter Break

May 9, 2025 – Missouri Fiscal Year 2026 state budget must be passed

May 16, 2025 – Last day of the Legislative session

General Election Detailed Results

U.S. President Race

In Missouri, former U.S. President Donald Trump (R) (1.739 million votes) defeated Kamala Harris (D) (1.190 million votes), the current U.S. Vice President. Other candidates: Chase Oliver (Libertarian) (23,754 votes) and Jill Stein (Green) (16,956 votes). At age 78, Trump is the oldest person ever to win a U.S. presidential election and will be the first President in 132 years, since Grover Cleveland, to serve two non-consecutive terms in the White House. Trump’s running mate, current U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, will be Vice President.

U.S. Senate Race

Winning his second consecutive six-year term, Incumbent U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R) (1.639 million votes) defeated Lucas Kunce (D) of Independence (1.234 million votes). Other candidates: W.C. Young (Libertarian) (35,414 votes), Jared Young (Better Party) (20,918 votes), and Nathan Kline (Green) (19,899 votes).

Governor Race

Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe (R) (1.738 million votes) will be Missouri’s 58th Governor, defeating State Rep. Crystal Quade (D-Springfield) (1.137 million votes). Other candidates: Bill Slantz (Libertarian) (40,627 votes) and Paul Lehmann (Green) (22,136 votes).

Lt. Governor Race

David Wasinger (R) of St. Louis (1.659 million votes) defeated State Rep. Richard Brown (D-Kansas City) (1.113 million votes). Other candidates: Ken Iverson (Libertarian) (61,278 votes) and Danielle Elliott (Green) (57,676 votes). Wasinger, who bankrolled his own campaign, initially edged out State Sen. Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield) in the August primary election by about 7,500 votes.

Secretary of State Race

State Sen. Denny Hoskins (R-Warrensburg) (1.665 million votes) won the race against State Rep. Barbara Phifer (D-St. Louis) (1.145 million votes). Other candidates: Carl Freese (Libertarian) (48,783 votes) and Jerome Bauer (Green) (28,706 votes). Hoskins is one of the founding members of the Senate’s Missouri Freedom Caucus.

Treasurer Race

Incumbent State Treasurer Vivek Malek (R) (1.672 million votes) defeated Mark Osmack, (D) from Manchester (1.097 million votes). Other candidates: John Hartwig, Jr. (Libertarian) (80,868 votes) and Reagan Haase (Green) (35,405 votes). Malek is the first person of color to win a statewide general election in Missouri state history.

Attorney General Race

Incumbent Attorney Gen. Andrew Bailey (R) (1.727 million votes) defeated Elad Gross (D) of St. Louis (1.095 million votes). Also in the race: Ryan Munro (Libertarian) (66,355 votes).

U.S. Congressional Races

District 1, Wesley Bell (D), who defeated incumbent Congresswoman Cori Bush (D) in the August primary election, won the general election with 231,330 votes. Bell defeated Andrew Jones (R) (56,009 votes), Rochelle Riggins (Libertarian) (9,974 votes), Don Fitz (Green) (5,095 votes), and Blake Ashby (Better Party) (2,255 votes). 

District 2, Incumbent Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R) (231,954 votes) defeated Ray Hartmann (D) (180,660 votes), Brandon Daugherty (Libertarian) (8,866 votes) and Shelby Davis (Green) (3,893 votes).

District 3, former State Sen. Bob Onder (R) of O’Fallon (240,137 votes) defeated Bethany Mann (D) (138,106 votes) in the Congressional District which is currently represented by retiring Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (R). Other candidates: Jordan Rowden (Libertarian) (9,272 votes) and William Hastings (Green) (3,992 votes). 

Key State Senate Races

Senate District 3, State Rep. Mike Henderson (R-Bonne Terre) (60,506 votes) defeated Doug Halbert (D) (19,254 votes). 

Senate District 7, State Rep. Patty Lewis (D-Kansas City) (57,678 votes) defeated Joey LaSalle (R) (19,799 votes).

Senate District 9, Incumbent Sen. Barbara Washington (D-Kansas City) (49,859 votes) defeated Derron Black (R) (13,039 votes).

Senate District 11, Joe Nicola (R) of Grain Valley (36,732 votes) defeated State Rep. Robert Sauls (D-Independence) (33,257 votes).

Senate District 15, David Gregory, former State Rep. (R-Chesterfield) (55,317 votes), defeated Joe Pereles (D) (50,176 votes) and Jeff Coleman (Libertarian) (1,693 votes).

Senate District 17, State Rep. Maggie Nurrenbern (D-Kansas City) (44,582 votes) defeated Republican Jerry Nolte, former State Rep. (39,568 votes). District 17 includes Clay County.

Senate District 19, Democrat Stephen Webber, former State Rep. (48,756 votes) defeated James Coyne (R) (36,916 votes) in the Boone County district.

Senate District 21, State Rep. Kurtis Gregory (R-Marshall) (64,355 votes) defeated Jim Bates (D) (28,475 votes).

Senate District 23, State Rep. Adam Schnelting (R-St. Peters) (51,139 votes) defeated Matt Williams (D) (41,671 votes).

Senate District 29, Incumbent Sen. Mike Moon (R-Ash Grove) (66,235 votes) defeated Ron Monnig (D) (16,146 votes).

Senate District 31, Incumbent Sen. Rick Brattin (R-Harrisonville) (60,418 votes) defeated Raymond James (D) (27,770 votes).

Key State House of Representatives Races

House District 17 in Clay County: Incumbent Rep. Bill Allen (R) (8,967 votes) defeated Shirley Mata (D) (8,321 votes).

House District 30 in Jackson County: Incumbent Rep. Jon Patterson (R-Lee’s Summit) (11,764 votes) defeated Kevin Grover (D) (9,786 votes) and Frank Lawrence (Green) (255 votes).

House District 34 in Jackson County: Incumbent Rep. Kemp Strickler (D) (10,117 votes) defeated JC Crossley (R) (9,419 votes).

House District 96 in St. Louis County: Incumbent Rep. Brad Christ (R) (12,251 votes) defeated Leslie Derrington (D) (9,929 votes).

House District 100 in St. Louis County: Incumbent Rep. Philip Oehlerking (R) (10,716 votes) defeated Colin Lovett (D) (10,597 votes).

House District 101 in St. Louis County: Incumbent Rep. Ben Keathley (R) (11,831 votes) defeated Jacqueline Cotton (D) (9,942 votes).

House District 105 in St. Charles County: Colin Wellenkamp (R) (8,154 votes) defeated Ron Odenthal (D) (7,256 votes).

House District 136 in Springfield: Incumbent Rep. Stephanie Hein (D) (9,239 votes) defeated Jim Robinette (R) (8,898 votes).

State House Incumbent Losses

House District 12, Incumbent State Rep. Jamie Johnson (D-Kansas City) lost to Republican Mike Jones, 10,102 to 9,902 votes.

House District 38, Incumbent State Rep. Chris Lonsdale (R-Liberty) lost to Democrat Martin Jacobs, 10,321 to 9,794 votes.

Six Ballot Measures were decided on Nov. 5

Voters on Tuesday passed and defeated various amendments and one proposition.

Constitutional Amendment 2, Sports Betting. Approved, 1,469,866 votes to 1,462,380. 

Constitutional Amendment 3, Legalizing the Right to Abortion. Approved, 1,531,139 votes to 1,428,041.

Constitutional Amendment 5, Allowing New Osage River Casino. Defeated, 1,372,413 yes votes to 1,510,697 no votes.

Constitutional Amendment 6, To Support Sheriffs’ Salaries and Benefits. Defeated, 1,104,920 yes votes to 1,697,649 no votes.

Constitutional Amendment 7, Prohibiting Ranked-Choice Voting and Non-Citizen Voting. Approved, 1,952,138 votes to 899,408.

And Proposition A, Increases to Missouri Minimum Wage and to Paid Sick Leave. Approved, 1,680,525 votes to 1,238,080.