Mike Kehoe Elected as Missouri's Next Governor

JEFFERSON CITY, MO --- Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe was officially elected as Missouri's 
next governor. At his election night watch party in Jefferson City, Governor-elect Kehoe addressed a crowd 
of hundreds of supporters, thanking them for their steadfast support and vowing to get to work on day one of 
the Kehoe administration. 
During his remarks, Governor-elect Kehoe reemphasized his priorities as Missouri's next governor, including 
cracking down on crime and backing law enforcement, strengthening public education and expanding school 
choice options, and supporting tax cuts to spur economic prosperity. 
"Our victory tonight---it's a win for our cops, our firefighters, our farmers, and our job creators. It's a win for 
students who deserve good schools and a brighter future. It's a win for families who want safe streets and 
lower taxes, " said Governor-elect Kehoe. "So, to all Missourians, this is your victory. Enjoy tonight because 
tomorrow morning, we get to work together for an even safer, stronger, and more prosperous Missouri." 

Governor-Elect Kehoe Victory Speech
Thank you, Missouri!
I am so proud and so humbled by your confidence in me.
This has been an incredible journey. It’s a journey that started decades ago in North St Louis with a single
mom who struggled to raise six kids. She wasn’t educated, but she was wise.
Whenever we complained about something we didn't have, she had a simple answer: pray harder, work
harder. Mom was right. If you work hard and love the Lord, you can get anywhere you want in this country.
That’s been the guiding principle in my life. Whenever we saw something that needed to be done, we didn’t
complain. We prayed hard, and we worked hard. That’s what led us to get started in business.
It’s why we ran for State Senate. It’s why I answered Governor Parson’s call to serve as Lt. Governor. And
it’s why we ran for Governor.
I want to thank Mike and Teresa for their leadership and being here with us tonight. Missourians are thankful
for your service to our state.
From the beginning of this campaign, we said that no one would outwork us. We’ve traveled tens of
thousands of miles. We’ve visited every county in the state. We’ve met and listened to thousands of
Missourians. It’s been the experience of a lifetime—and I couldn’t have done it without the grace of God, my
family, my campaign team, and all of you.
First, my wife, Claudia. She has been an incredible partner on this crazy journey. She has been by my side
every step of the way. And she is going to be an amazing First Lady of Missouri!
At the end of the day, no candidate can be successful without the support of their family. Our kids: Carol,
Michael, Maggie, and Claire, and our son-in-law, Scott. They didn’t sign up for this, but they went into
overdrive to help share our campaign message with their friends, and they were always there to support
Claudia and me.
I wouldn’t be here without my siblings, who helped raise me and make me the person I am today. Thank you
to my sisters Kathy and Maureen, my brother John, and my sister Peggy, who are here with us tonight.
And, of course, we have the best team in Missouri politics: Derek Coats led a great campaign, along with
Gabby, Nick, Jayln, Lucinda, Shannon, Joseph, Jordan, Andrew, Matthew, and Avery.
Adam Gresham has led an outstanding team at the official office with Casey and Amanda.
Every single member of Team Kehoe, past and present, has helped us get to this victory.
Our campaign has volunteers in every county of the state who have supported us by putting up signs,
speaking at events, and knocking on tens of thousands of doors. We had super volunteers like Dick and
Kathy Peerson, Tom Kolb, Greg Dorge, Nathan Willett, and our secret weapon, Bruce Miedema.
And, I want to thank all of you in this room. So many of you have been with us for a long time—back when
we kicked off this campaign more than a year and a half ago. And so much time in between. I asked for your
help and support, and you have been so generous to Claudia, me, and our family. You’ve driven the bus, put
up signs, and opened your homes and wallets. I can’t even begin to tell you how grateful we are.
I couldn’t have done this without the support of over 30 organizations representing everyday Missourians,
including firefighters, police, farmers, truckers, those who work in healthcare and the construction industry,
and small business leaders. These organizations stepped up, thank you.
I want to thank our creative media team, Larry McCarthy and Rob Hennings. They did a fantastic job
helping us tell my story and vision for the state to Missourians – along with the Thompson family from right
here in Missouri.
Lastly, I want to thank the people in this room and across the state who have prayed for us. Claudia and I
could not have made it through the campaign without these prayers and our faith.
And I’ll tell you right now: over the next four years, we’re going to need you by our side, and we’re going to
need your continued prayers—because there is a lot of work to be done.
We’re going to roll up our sleeves and get to work on day one!
As soon as my hand comes off the Bible, the Kehoe administration will be relentless in our efforts to make
Missouri safer. We will ensure that Missouri is a state where it is easier to be a cop than a criminal, and we
will not rest until the criminals who make our streets and our neighborhoods dangerous are held accountable.
And to the brave police officers: we will always have your backs.
We’ll focus on reducing taxes and cutting regulations so families can keep more of their own money and so
job creations want to come here, expand here, and hire more hard-working Missourians.
We’re going to strengthen public education and expand school choice so that every single student has the
opportunity to get a world-class education. And we’ll prepare our kids for the workforce by making sure they
have the options they need to achieve their American Dreams—whether that’s a four-year college or career
technical education.
And for the future Missourians who do not have a voice, I’ll be on the front lines doing everything to ensure
Missouri respects and protects innocent life.
Missouri is a land of opportunity—a place where every person can succeed regardless of their background.
It’s a place filled with people who share the same values that we do—a place where people pray hard and
work hard.
I know it’s true because I’ve lived the American Dream, just like many of you. And as governor, I’m going
to make sure that dream is available to every single person in this state.
We are so honored by the faith you have put in our campaign.
Our victory tonight—it’s a win for our cops, our firefighters, our farmers, and our job creators. It’s a win for
single mothers like my mom, Lorraine, and for mentors like mine, Mr. Sinclair. It’s a win for students who
deserve good schools and a brighter future. It’s a win for families who want safe streets and lower taxes.
So, to all Missourians, this is your victory! Enjoy tonight because tomorrow morning, we get to work
together for an even safer, stronger, and more prosperous Missouri.
God Bless You. God Bless Missouri. God Bless the United States of America.
Thank you!