Missouri Republicans hold all statewide offices, but heated primaries loom in 2024

Three years ago at Missouri Republicans' annual banquet, Gov. Mike Parson made a prediction: in the 2022 election cycle, Republicans would take control of every statewide office.

"We're doing the sweep, I'm telling you that right now," he said at the time.

At Friday evening's Lincoln Days in Springfield, Missouri's GOP leaders had a response: mission accomplished.

"Every statewide official in the state is a Republican," shouted Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, a line met with raucous applause. "I'm a little partial to one, but isn't that an awesome thing?"

After the 2022 election cycle, the GOP holds the offices of the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, state auditor, secretary of state and state treasurer — and continues to hold supermajorities in both chambers of the legislature. The departure of the final Democratic holdout, former State Auditor Nicole Galloway, represents the peak of Republican control since the tides began to turn their way in recent decades.

But several of those statewide officials will have little time to celebrate the feat — with many of Missouri's most prominent Republicans preparing to potentially launch 2024 campaigns for offices that will soon be vacant or are held by brand-new occupants.

Governor's race could see at least three GOP candidates

Parson, who is in his final term as governor, did not make an appearance Friday. But three people that could vie to be the next head of state were present — Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, Sen. Bill Eigel and Ashcroft.

"(Voters) want somebody who's going to run the state like a business, that's going to ... take the politics out of it, take the personal attacks out of it, and try to actually get something done and move forward," Kehoe said in an interview.

Kehoe has been on the campaign trail for months, while Eigel has effectively launched a campaign in the form of an exploratory committee. Ashcroft has yet to officially enter the race, but urged the crowd of Republican faithful on Friday to consider their support for future primary contests wisely.

"The time for excuses is over," Ashcroft said. "The time to expect more from our elected officials is now. In August of 2024, let's not just expect it, let's require it."

Eigel, one of the most conservative members of the Senate hailing from Weldon Spring, did not have a chance to address the crowd, unlike his two likely opponents who both hold statewide office. But he had a booth of merchandise and pamphlets set out and was chatting with attendees throughout the evening.

Other statewide races poised to attract big-name Republicans

Several statewide offices toward the top of the 2024 ballot appear ripe for Republican primaries, with candidates establishing themselves and beginning to throw their hats in the ring.

With Ashcroft likely setting up a run for governor, the secretary of state's office could be vacant. One candidate has already officially announced — Greene County Clerk Shane Schoeller, who last ran for the office in 2012 and is jumping in again before Ashcroft has announced his next move.

Two other offices currently belong to political neophytes appointed by Parson in recent months — State Treasurer Vivek Malek and Attorney General Andrew Bailey. Bailey already has one primary challenger — Will Scharf, a onetime aide to former Gov. Eric Greitens. Other prominent Republicans have not yet formally announced their campaigns, but are well-positioned to jump into the races with name recognition and established financing.

Sen. Denny Hoskins, a Warrensburg Republican, is exploring a run for statewide office, he announced on social media this week, but has not yet declared which office. The term-limited leaders in the House and Senate could also make the leap to statewide office — both Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden of Columbia and Speaker of the House Dean Plocher of St. Louis were present at Lincoln Days and addressed the crowd Friday evening.

U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley is also facing re-election in 2024, though is unlikely to see any primary challengers. He spoke Friday evening, celebrating the Supreme Court's 2022 ruling on Roe v. Wade and calling on attendees to push back against the agenda of Democrats in Washington.

The crowd also heard briefly from a surprise guest: former President Donald Trump, who called in through the state party chair's phone. He mentioned he had visited Missouri several times, and intended to visit again soon, as he runs in 2024.

"I'll come out and see you soon, we'll do a big rally together," Trump said to loud applause and cheers.

2023's priorities: restrictions on trans youth and initiative petition process

Members of the General Assembly also used the captive audience to outline their priorities as the annual legislative session continues.

One panel was dedicated to discussion about elections and the initiative petition process, which Republicans in the legislature have sought to make more difficult in the face of several progressive ballot measures and constitutional amendments. The House has passed a ballot measure that would require future constitutional amendments to receive 60% approval from voters to take effect; the Senate is set to take action on several similar measures soon.

Sen. Sandy Crawford, a Buffalo Republican, said she was less "worried about the details as I am about getting something done, because this system is broken." She also framed it as a priority in part to combat those progressive measures — a line of argument that Republican lawmakers have previously shied away from.

"We have Republican supermajorities ... and voters pass all these crazy left-wing initiative petition things," said Crawford. "We need to get a better handle on that."

More:Plan making it more difficult to approve ballot measures in Missouri passes House

A handout provided to attendees at the panel listed examples of "bad additions to the Missouri Constitution," including 2020's Medicaid expansion and 2022's legalization of recreational marijuana, which received a majority of voter support. It also warned that 2024's ballot measures could include "incorporating legalized abortions into the Missouri Constitution."

That handout also pointed out that under the current initiative petition process, "getting a majority of the statewide vote mainly from Kansas City, St. Louis and Columbia is possible." All three of those areas are considered Democratic strongholds; Republican lawmakers have sought through various proposals to require more input from rural, Republican regions.

Throughout the weekend, speakers received the loudest applause when they talked about legislation and restrictions leveled toward transgender youth — ranging from banning transgender girls from playing on girls' youth sports teams to banning gender-affirming health care for minors. A number of those bills have received hearings in both chambers, spurring passionate testimony and Capitol protests.

More:Missouri lawmakers weigh proposal coined 'most extreme Don't Say Gay bill' in the U.S.

Both Plocher and Rowden, in their remarks Friday evening, pledged to prioritize legislation on transgender student-athletes and on health care for transgender minors.

Galen Bacharier covers Missouri politics & government for the News-Leader. Contact him at gbacharier@news-leader.com or on Twitter @galenbacharier.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri Republicans lay out priorities at Lincoln Days in Springfield