Missouri Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe will be the state’s next governor.
The Associated Press called the race for the Republican candidate over Democrat Crystal Quade just before 9 p.m. on Tuesday.
Kehoe has said his top issue will be addressing crime in the state. He intends to introduce a crime plan on Day 1 of his term as governor.
“We want businesses to feel safe, and we need to make sure we're backing the blue, we've got to give the resources to men and ladies across our communities, let them know that our community is with them and the state is with them,” Kehoe said.
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Kehoe is in favor of taking away local control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. The department has been under local control since 2013 after Missouri voters approved a measure in 2012.
Bills that would make that change have failed in the legislature the past few sessions.
Another priority for Kehoe is the economy. He has told supporters he wants to eventually eliminate the state’s income tax.
“If we want to be competitive with other states, we need to make sure we get our tax rate in line with our competition,” Kehoe said.
Something that could be on the radar for the next governor is the fate of the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals.
Jackson County voters in April rejected a sales tax measure that would have helped fund a new baseball stadium for the Royals and improved Arrowhead Stadium, where the Chiefs play.
In June, the Kansas Legislature passed an incentive bill designed to lure one or both teams across the state border.
Kehoe said he’s open to discussions about whether Missouri should provide financial support.
“It's not about giving subsidies to a sports team, in my opinion, it's about let's look at the economic impact that organization is making to our community and to our state. And then what do people together want to do to make sure they stay here,” Kehoe said.
Kehoe won a contentious primary in August after repeatedly fending off claims that he wasn’t conservative enough.
After the primary, Kehoe spoke on uniting the Republican Party, which has seen fissures in the state legislature.
Kehoe has served as lieutenant governor since 2018. He was initially appointed to the position by Gov. Mike Parson. He won his first full term in 2020. Prior to that, Kehoe served in the Missouri Senate.
This story has been updated with a photo from Mike Kehoe's watch party.
