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Mike Kehoe

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For the Irish athlete, see Michael Kehoe.

Mike Kehoe
Official portrait, 2018
48th Lieutenant Governor of Missouri
Assumed office
June 18, 2018
GovernorMike Parson
Preceded byMike Parson
Majority Leader of the Missouri Senate
In office
September 15, 2015 – June 18, 2018
Preceded byRon Richard
Succeeded byCaleb Rowden
Member of the Missouri Senate
from the 6th district
In office
January 5, 2011 – June 18, 2018
Preceded byCarl M. Vogel
Succeeded byMike Bernskoetter
Personal details
Born
Michael Leo Kehoe[1]

(1962-01-17) January 17, 1962 (age 62)
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseClaudia
Children4

Michael Leo Kehoe (born January 17, 1962) is an American politician. A Republican, he serves as the 48th lieutenant governor of Missouri, having been in office since June 18, 2018. Kehoe previously served in the Missouri Senate, representing the state's 6th senatorial district, and served as Majority Leader from 2015 to 2018.[2] On June 18, 2018, Governor Mike Parson appointed Kehoe as Missouri's lieutenant governor. Both Parson and Kehoe were elected to a full term in 2020.

Kehoe is a candidate in the 2024 Missouri gubernatorial election.

Early life

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Kehoe was born and raised in the St. Louis area by his single-parent mother. He was the youngest of six children. His father left the family when he was only one year old. He attended Chaminade College Preparatory School.[3]

Missouri Senate

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Kehoe was appointed by Governor Matt Blunt to the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission in 2005.[4] Without having held elected office before, Kehoe ran for the 6th District State Senate seat to succeed Carl Vogel. In a close Republican primary, he defeated three other candidates to advance to the 2010 general election, where he ran unopposed.[5]

During the 96th General Assembly, Senator Kehoe served on the following committees:[2]

  • Vice-Chairman, Transportation Committee
  • Member, Education Committee
  • Member, Commerce Committee
  • Member, Consumer Protection Committee
  • Member, Energy & the Environment Committee

Lieutenant Governor of Missouri

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On June 18, 2018, Governor Mike Parson appointed Kehoe as lieutenant governor. The appointment came with legal uncertainty, as a state law (not the Constitution of Missouri) states that the governor can fill all vacancies "other than in the offices of lieutenant governor, state senator or representative, sheriff, or recorder of deeds in the city of St. Louis". The Constitution of Missouri states "The governor shall fill all vacancies in public offices unless otherwise provided by law, and his appointees shall serve until their successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified." Parson stated that he believed that the Constitution gave him authority to tap Kehoe as lieutenant governor.[6][7]

The Democrats lost their lawsuit in the Cole County Circuit Court due to a lack of standing and the vagueness of the state law which states it cannot be done, but does not provide a process to fill the position. That lawsuit was on appeal in the Missouri Supreme Court, Appeal No. SC97284,[8] with oral argument held on November 7, 2018. On April 16, 2019, the Missouri Supreme Court upheld the appointment of Kehoe to lieutenant governor by a vote of 5–2. The decision written by Chief Justice Zel Fischer stated that "Governor Parson was within his constitutional authority when he appointed Kehoe to the office of Lieutenant Governor,".[9]

Kehoe was elected lieutenant governor in his own right in 2020.[10]

Gubernatorial campaign

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In March 2021, Kehoe announced his intention to run for governor in 2024.[11] As of July 2024, he raised almost $13 million, receiving significant donations from businesses that bid for state contracts and Rex Sinquefield.[12][13] Opponents criticized Kehoe for renting a charter bus for the campaign from lobbyist Jewell Patek whose client Smithfield Foods is owned by Chinese agricultural company WH Group.[14]

Personal life

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At age 25, Kehoe began working for Osage Industries, a company involved with auto parts and the manufacturing of ambulances.[15] After selling Osage Industries in 1992, he purchased an auto dealership in Jefferson City, Missouri, but sold it shortly after entering politics.[16] Kehoe and his wife Claudia are the parents of four children. He is the second Roman Catholic to hold the office of Lieutenant Governor of Missouri, the first being Thomas Eagleton.[17]

Electoral history

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State senator

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Missouri 6th District State Senator Republican Primary 2010[5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Mike Kehoe 12,250 39.7%
Republican Kenny Jones 10,201 33.0%
Republican Bill Deeken 5,133 16.6%
Republican Harry Otto 3,282 10.6%
Missouri 6th District State Senator General Election 2010[18]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Mike Kehoe 52,402 100.0%
Missouri 6th District State Senator Republican Primary 2014[19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Mike Kehoe 25,142 100.0%
Missouri 6th District State Senator General Election 2014[20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Mike Kehoe 37,561 79.1%
Democratic Mollie Kristen Freebairn 9,937 20.9%

Lieutenant governor

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Missouri Lieutenant Governor Primary Election, August 4, 2020[21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Mike Kehoe 362,442 59.41
Republican Mike Carter 158,914 26.05
Republican Aaron Wisdom 52,810 8.66
Republican Arnie C. Dienoff 35,929 5.89
Missouri Lieutenant Governor General Election, November 3, 2020[21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Mike Kehoe 1,720,202 57.11
Democratic Alissia Canady 1,150,231 38.81
Libertarian Bill Slantz 53,789 1.82
Green Kelley Dragoo 28,183 0.95
Write-in 26 0.00

References

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  1. ^ "Journal of the Senate" (PDF). Missouri Senate. March 6, 2003. p. 403. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Senator Mike Kehoe". Senate.mo.gov. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  3. ^ Watson, Bob (June 24, 2018). "Lt. Gov. Kehoe talks about transition to statewide job". News Tribune. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  4. ^ "Kehoe". Archived from the original on September 29, 2011. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  5. ^ a b "2010 Primary Election – State Senator – District 6". Missouri Secretary of State. August 24, 2010. Archived from the original on October 5, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  6. ^ Hancock, Jason (June 18, 2018). "Gov. Parson picks his replacement as lieutenant governor, reopening a legal debate". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  7. ^ "State senator Mike Kehoe appointed Missouri lieutenant governor". FOX2now.com. June 18, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  8. ^ Appellants' Brief. Darrell Cope and the Missouri Democratic Party v. Michael L. Parson and Mike Kehoe, S.W.3d (Mo. August 13, 2018).
  9. ^ Ballentine, Summer. "Missouri Supreme Court Upholds Appointment of Lt. Gov. Kehoe". usnews.com. Associated Press. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  10. ^ "State of Missouri — General Election, November 3, 2020". Missouri Secretary of State. January 26, 2021. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  11. ^ SCHALLHORN, KAITLYN (March 22, 2021). "Kehoe announces 2024 gubernatorial run, forgoing US Senate bid". themissouritimes.com. The Missouri Times. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  12. ^ Keller, Rudi (July 16, 2024). "Fundraising in Missouri governor's race tops $21 million, with most going to Kehoe". Missouri Independent. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  13. ^ Keller, Rudi (October 18, 2023). "Kehoe leads fundraising for Missouri governor in latest campaign filings". Missouri Independent. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  14. ^ Keller, Rudi (July 21, 2024). "Kehoe campaign for Missouri governor riding on bus owned by lobbyist for Chinese pork producer". Missouri Independent. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  15. ^ "Osage Ambulances". Osage Ambulances. April 4, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  16. ^ "Jefferson City Car Dealership Announces Sale of Company". KOMU 8. October 25, 2011. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  17. ^ "Senator Mike Kehoe". Senate.mo.gov. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  18. ^ "Official Election Returns: State of Missouri General Election – November 2, 2010 General Election" (PDF). Missouri Secretary of State. November 30, 2010. p. 3. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  19. ^ "State of Missouri – Primary Election, August 05, 2014". Missouri Secretary of State. August 5, 2014. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  20. ^ "State of Missouri – General Election, November 04, 2014". Missouri Secretary of State. December 3, 2014. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  21. ^ a b "All Results; Official Results". Missouri Secretary of State. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
[edit]
Wikiquote has quotations related to Mike Kehoe.
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Missouri
2020 		Most recent
Missouri Senate
Preceded by Member of the Missouri Senate
from the 6th district
2011–2018 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Majority Leader of the Missouri Senate
2015–2018 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of Missouri
2018–present 		Incumbent
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