By Amanda Lubinski
ALubinski@cherryroad.com

With uncertified results totaled by the Secretary of State’s Office in the general election, Republicans will maintain control of Missouri’s top elected seats.

Local election authorities have two weeks after the election to report their certified results to the Secretary of State, and the Secretary’s Office must certify the state results by early December.

Governor

In a race where almost 3 million people cast votes, former Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe cruised to a win as the state’s next governor. He took 59% of the votes cast.

“Our victory tonight, it’s a win for our cops, our firefighters, our farmers and our job creators,” The Missouri Independent reported Kehoe telling supporters Tuesday night, Nov. 5. “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.”

Lieutenant Governor

An attorney from St. Louis and political newcomer, Dave Wasinger was elected to be the state’s next next lieutenant governor as Republicans maintain control of the office.

Wasinger took 57% of the 2,891,362 cast across the state. He thanked his supporters in a post on social media early Wednesday, Nov. 6.

“I look forward to serving as Missouri’s next lieutenant governor,” he wrote. “Let’s make Missouri great again!”

Secretary of State

Denny Hoskins, a Republican who has most recently been serving in state Senate District 21, was elected as the state’s next secretary of state. With all precincts reporting, uncertified state totals show Hoskins capturing 58% of the votes cast to become the state’s next chief election official.

“The right to vote is fundamental,” The Missouri Independent reported Hoskins saying, “and I will work hard to ensure voters know that their ballots are safe and that our elections are secure.”

During the campaign, he advocated for hand-counted ballots and eliminating voting machines. He also wants to audit voter rolls, restrict early voting to those who are disabled or serve in the military and wants Election Day to be a holiday to make it easier to get to the polls that day.

State Treasurer

Republican Vivek Malek will retain the seat he was first appointed to by Gov. Mike Parson after receiving 58% of the votes cast in the state treasurer race.

With the win, he becomes the first person of color elected to a statewide office, according to The Missouri Independent.

Prior to taking office, Malek worked as an immigration attorney, having immigrated to the United States from India in 2001.

“One year into his term, he set the record for the amount returned in unclaimed property, with $51.8 million returned to people, up from $50.2 million the previous year,” reports the online news site. “Malek championed the MOScholars program, which funds private education and provides tax credits to donors. The program was months old when Malek was appointed and had $9 million in tax credits reserved for donors. Under Malek’s leadership, fundraising increased to $16.6 million in 2023.”

Attorney General

Republican Attorney Gen. Andrew Bailey will remain in office after winning election to a full term on election night. He captured about 60% of the votes cast in the state.

Bailey has held the office since 2022, when he was appointed by Parson.

“His most high-profile cases since becoming attorney general include twice suing to block federal student loan forgiveness and carrying forward a lawsuit alleging the Biden administration was censoring conservatives online by pressuring social media companies,” reports The Independent.

Bailey has championed political causes dear to Republicans while also coming under fire from both Democrats and some in the GOP who say he has incompetently managed the AG’s office.

“With your continued support, we will bring transformative conservative leadership to the Show-Me State,” the Kansas City Star reported Bailey saying in a statement earlier this year. “We will defend our values, uphold the rule of law, and protect our freedoms.”

“Andrew is one of those people that has not only put his money where his mouth is on those topics,” the Independent reported James Lawson, his longtime friend and campaign manager, as saying. “He’s a guy that’s pulling kids out of the foster system.”

Area U.S. Reps & Senators

One Democrats marking a U.S. House election win to represent the state at the federal level on Tuesday was area U.S. Rep. and incumbent Emanuel Cleaver II, who represents District 5 in United States House of Representatives. He retained his U.S. House seat with 60% of the 329,591 total votes cast.

Republican Sam Graves handily retained his U.S. House District 6 seat with 71% of the 374,440 total votes cast.

In the race for U.S. Senate, Republican Josh Hawley bested his fellow candidates, taking nearly 56% of the 2,951,230 votes cast.