‘I won’t forget where I came from’: Kehoe’s campaign for Missouri governor descends upon Hannibal

HANNIBAL, Mo. — “Vote no” and “Amen” were yelled from the crowd as Missouri Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe condemned Amendment 3, also known as the Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative, during his visit to Republican headquarters in Hannibal on Thursday, Oct. 24, less than two weeks before election day on Nov. 5.

“Amendment 3 is a very important no to me,” said Kehoe, a Republican who is running for governor in Missouri against Democrat Crystal Quade, Libertarian Bill Slantz and Green Party candidate Paul Lehmann. “It is probably the worst constitutional amendment I have seen on the ballot in the 42 years I’ve been voting.” 

Incumbent Republican governor Mike Parson is term-limited and cannot seek re-election to a second full term in office because he served more than two years of predecessor Eric Greitens’ unexpired term following his resignation in June 2018. 

Lisa Finley says the number one reason she is voting for Kehoe is his view on abortion. 

“We have to stand up for what’s right for Missouri,” Finley said. “He is a governor that is going to fight for what Missourians need.” 

Kehoe said he plans to work on economic development, tax policy issues, education and getting money back into the pockets of the Missouri people, as well as focusing on technical and career education. 

“We want to represent an economy and environment in our state that allows your kids and grandkids to experience what I have been able to experience,” Kehoe said. “Everyone should have an opportunity to understand what the American dream is.”

Getting crime under control is Kehoe’s top priority for the state. He plans to give law enforcement “the tools they need to take care of our communities and our streets.” 

Kehoe thanked the people in attendance and ensured he would not “forget where he came from.” He’s a first-generation farmer and says he plans to support the agriculture industry in Missouri.

“We have room to grow in our agriculture economy,” he said. “We will grow our ag economy to get our farmers and ranchers … to continue to produce what we do to feed and clothe the world.” 

As a small business person, Kehoe says he has created hundreds of jobs during the last 35 years. 

“I have been endorsed by more than 30 organizations across the state from law enforcement to ag to business groups that believe we have the right kind of recipe to move Missouri forward. All of those things are very different from the other people running against me,” Kehoe said.