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Lt. Governor Kehoe has one of the most impressive personal stories of anyone to ever serve in Missouri state government. He has more hands on experience around the state, in business, and in state government than perhaps anyone to run for the office since Governor Francis.

Mike Kehoe can personally relate to more parts of this state than anyone we can remember on the ballot. He has lived in St. Louis, ran a Ford dealership in Jefferson City, and owns a cattle ranch in Jerome. Missouri literally exudes from him. Whether urban or rural he has a first hand understanding of our state and its challenges.

Kehoe has served in the executive branch leading The Highway Commission under Governor Blunt. It’s an invaluable experience to have actually been appointed and successfully served as a gubernatorial appointee when you are now the Governor assessing the best applicants to fill these appointments. No other modern candidate for Governor has actually served in a senior appointed role in state government, and no Governor will have the perspective of what is going through those appointee’s minds as they serve the state.

As a state senator Kehoe was quickly elected to senate leadership in his third year and the floor leader by the first year of his second term. There have been several Governors who have previously served in the General Assembly.

However, no Governor since Governors Carnahan and Hearnes have previously served in senior legislative leadership. No one has become Governor that served in Senate leadership since Governor Donnelly. Mike Kehoe has first hand experience in what it takes to move legislation and that will be immensely helpful in unjamming the legislative log jam in the senate.

The Missouri Senate is an exclusive club of the state’s highest deliberative body. There are many parts of the senate that you have to actually be a senator to fully understand. Kehoe has been there, and therefore has a deeper understanding of the challenges and the levers of power in that body.

Mike Kehoe has spent six and a half years working alongside Governor Parson in one of the most successful administrations in Missouri history. He was in the room leading the discussions on the majority of their administration’s legislative achievements. While serving in this role Kehoe has had a unique opportunity to study the job of Governor and make his plans for the state over the next eight years when he takes over.

Perhaps his greatest qualification is his remarkable record in business. He was one of the youngest Ford dealers in America. He has signed both sides of a paycheck, actually created jobs, and personally ran a manufacturing plant right here in the Great State of Missouri.

If you are an angry suburban right winger, Mike Kehoe has the ability to actually pass the legislation that is typically reserved for whining on Facebook. It’s unlikely that he will ever whine enough for some suburban republicans, but he has the unique ability alongside Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin and House Speaker Jon Patterson to accomplish some of the things Missouri republicans have only dreamed of.

It is rare that you have three such remarkable leaders in place all at the same time, much less in the first year of an administration.

While that might not excite Democrats, any loyal Democrat can rest assured that in a Mike Kehoe administration there will be no selling out the state’s future for party hackery. Missouri will get an effective conservative Governor, but Mike Kehoe will not sign off on partisan boondoggles. It’s safe to assume that he will effect all the conservative government that actually adds up.

Those who doubt that need to look no further than six years ago when the state was in peril with a Governor who had no concern whatsoever for the state. Republican Senator Mike Kehoe was one of the first in his party to stand up and call for the republican Governor to resign and save the state from further embarrassment.

That took guts, the same type of guts it takes to speak common sense to extremists on either side.

Crystal Quade would be a fine Governor, anyone can be proud of their vote for her. There is little doubt that her impressive campaign performance has made her the Missouri Democratic Party’s brightest star. Her day will come and that day may very well see her become Governor one day. This state could do much worse.

However, that day is not today. We encourage Missourians of all stripes to cast their vote for Mike Kehoe. Four years from now Missourians won’t regret their decision.

Judicial Retentions 

While at the polls Tuesday, Missourians have the opportunity to affirm three judges who have served the state incredibly well in Supreme Court Judges Kelly Broniec and Ginger Gooch, as well as Western District Court of Appeals Judge Gary Witt.

They are from different parties and different parts of the state. You can agree or disagree with their individual decisions, but no Missourian can honestly question their qualifications or their integrity.

These judges have earned their retention votes. Missouri Republicans can feel confident that their Missouri Plan is now producing conservative judges like Broniec and Gooch. Democrats in the state should be quite wary of a vote not to confirm them.

Currently, you have two Republican judges on the Supreme Court who are balanced and reasoned in their rulings. It’s quite apparent that if either judge isn’t retained you stand a far greater chance of getting an extremist reactionary than you do a judge anywhere near their caliber. Further, liberals in a bright red state should be very wary of starting a retention tit for tat in a state where they are so far outnumbered by conservatives.

In Judge Gary Witt Missourians have one of the most talented and down to earth public servants sitting on one of the highest courts in the state. Judge Witt is a throw back to the days of common sense deal makers from when he was in the House of Representatives. He embodies what is right, and what is fair about the Missouri Judiciary.

Missourians of all partisan divides, and in all corners of the state can confidently retain these judges in another affirmation that their Missouri Plan has again given them a slate of qualified quality judges to affirm.

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We had a great visit about politics and the changing dynamics of JeffCo. It’s hard to remember but there was a time when only Ken and Judge Missey were the only Republicans elected. However, the peak was the amazing jacket Ken gave me. The picture is below, but as you can see it’s peak #Merica!

Then we rolled down to Kirby’s for an outstanding cheeseburger.

Senator-elect Jamie Burger hopped in the truck and we talked about the three competitive races to join him in the state senate next year. No one in Missouri politics has more common sense than the new senator. Also, it brings my Butler County mind joy to know that Cape still does not have a senator from Cape.

Then we visited with Senator Jason Bean and on his brother’s birthday no less. We got a cake to celebrate Rep. Cameron Parker’s birthday, but as you can see from the picture she ghosted us for her own party. Senator Bean is very bullish on David Gregory’s senate race, and on the job his buddy Mike Kehoe will do as Governor.

From the Bootheel we rolled up to the Leadbelt to visit with another new senator Rep. Mike Henderson. There isn’t a better dude in Missouri politics than Mike. We talked about early voting and how republicans can shift their strategy to embrace it. Also it was his birthday so we gave him a birthday cupcake.

That wrapped up Wednesday, but on Halloween we shot a This Week in Missouri Politics Midweek Update with Drew Dampf that you can watch here.

Also we taped Sunday’s election eve This week in Missouri Politics with Jack Cardetti, Emily Manley, Rod Jetton, and David Steelman. Look for it Sunday morning then join us Tuesday night for Election Night in Missouri to see how their predictions held up.

You can watch the election stream here Tuesday night starting at 7:00.

Scott Faughn

Scott Faughn is the publisher of The Missouri Times, owner of the Clayton Times in Clayton; SEMO Times in Poplar Bluff; and host of the only statewide political television show, This Week in Missouri Politics.

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All of these countdowns are certainly on my mind, plus one more: the countdown to Election Day. I think I can speak clearly for everyone when I say I’m ready for November 6. But let’s remember that on Tuesday, November 5, we will make selections impacting the next two, four or six years of our lives.

This election cycle, through the Missouri Farm Bureau PAC, county leaders have made their opinions very clear on who they think best represents what rural Missouri stands for. At the top of the Missouri ticket in the race for Governor stands Mike Kehoe, a first-generation farmer who has worked his way up from washing cars, to successful businessman, and now, Lieutenant Governor. Lt. Governor Kehoe knows the role agriculture plays in the state and will be a strong leader for the future of Missouri.

Josh Hawley earned the PAC’s endorsement in his reelection campaign for the U.S. Senate due to his strong support for farmers and ranchers’ property rights. In Andrew Bailey’s time in office, he’s already proven to stand up for Missouri’s rights as our Attorney General and has garnered our endorsement as well. MOFB’s PAC also endorsed U.S. Representatives Ann Wagner, Mark Alford, Sam Graves, Eric Burlison and Jason Smith in their respective bids to return to Washington, D.C.

In State Senate races, MOFB’s PAC is standing behind Mike Henderson (Dist. 3), Kurtis Gregory (Dist. 21), Jason Bean (Dist. 25) and Jamie Burger (Dist. 27). All four of these candidates have all received our endorsement. All of this can be found in the fall issue of Show Me MOFB magazine.

Please take the time to vote on or before November 5. Our communities need you and your voice to be heard at the ballot box. And on November 6, regardless of the outcome, let’s pray for our newly elected leaders along with our communities, state and nation.

Garrett Hawkins

President of Missouri Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization

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Jim has probably the easiest race of his career in the house, but we talked about Amendment 3 and got his and Jamey’s take on how it will impact the other races on the ballot.

I also got their predictions on how some of the races around the state will shake out. He is pretty confident about Gregory in SD15.

Then we visited the Big 550 KTRS studios for the Wendy and Frank Show. The marvelous Wendy Wiese is retiring after 40 years in radio, and it was really an honor to be a guest with her and Frank Cusamano in her final week on the air. You can listen to our conversation here.

From there we went to South County to one of the busiest early voting places in the state across from Grant’s Farm to see Senator Doug Beck.

He has been heading up the senate democrats campaign efforts around the state and gave us an update on their efforts and his prediction that Nurrenbern, Pereless, and Sauls sweep the competitive races Tuesday.

I also stopped in to visit with my old buddy Mark Reardon on 97.1 FM Talk. We discussed the crush of early voting all around the state, and how republicans can get on board and embrace it. We also talked the US Senate race and about the ultra competitive SD15 race in his neck of the woods. You can listen to the interview here.

We ended the day catching up with former Rep. David Gregory who is in a tight battle with Joe Pereless in SD15. He discussed his efforts to close out the campaign by hitting the doors.

He said nearly one in five doors have early voted, and feels quite confident about Tuesday.

Check in for day 4 where he visit The Leadbelt and southeast Missouri on the #F150CampaignTour brought to you by the Missouri Farm Bureau.

Scott Faughn

Scott Faughn is the publisher of The Missouri Times, owner of the Clayton Times in Clayton; SEMO Times in Poplar Bluff; and host of the only statewide political television show, This Week in Missouri Politics.

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The key discussion is how Republicans have been slow to take advantage of early voting. You can listen to the interview here:

We left the studio and traveled to the northland where former Rep. Jerry Nolte jumped in the truck. We talked about the ways his team is campaigning to early voters, and how he has always had to campaign to democrats and independents to win races.

He says he is spending the last week on doors, visiting early voting centers.

Then we caught up with Coach Brown where we discussed the healthy economic climate in the northland, and the growth pushing northward.

I also tried digging up some dirt on former Senator Ryan Silvey, but he ended up telling me a great story about how Ryan coming to speak to his government class inspired him to run for office.

After that Rep. Jamie Johnson hopped in the F-150 and we talked about her competitive race for re-election. She is very bullish on the chances for Amendment 3 especially in her district.

She also laid out some predictions that Reps. Nurrenbern and Sauls would make it across the finish line. We disagreed over sports betting. However, her son agrees with me (by the way we are right).

Our last visitor in the truck was Rep. Maggie Nurrenbern at the Glenstone recreation center where the line to vote was out the door, down the sidewalk and around the block. There was an hour and half wait at 10:45 AM.

She has been working the early voting line, and knew a surprising amount of folks in line just while I was watching. Maggie says that folks in the 17th are excited about voting Democrat, and told a Senator Ed Quick.

We ended the day at the KMOS studios on the campus of the University of Central Missouri where we taped our KMOS Election Special with Mike Mahoney, Dave Helling, Rep. Keri Ingle, and Stephanie Bell.

You can watch the special Thursday night on KMOS and the next day on You Tube.

Tomorrow we will be in St. Louis on the #F150CampaignTour brought to you by the Missouri Farm Bureau.

Scott Faughn

Scott Faughn is the publisher of The Missouri Times, owner of the Clayton Times in Clayton; SEMO Times in Poplar Bluff; and host of the only statewide political television show, This Week in Missouri Politics.

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First of all, I could tell right away that Robbie was doing his doors. He has probably lost 20 pounds since May, and has the farmer’s tan to show that he has hit the streets.

He talked about how different what folks were saying to him on the doors between the city of Kansas City portion of his district compared to the Independence part, compared to the eastern part of the district.

He is spending the last week on turnout and knocking his doors.

Then we went a little further east to visit with Joe Nicola. He rolled up on his Harley, no kidding, it was pretty cool. Joe says that folks have been talking to him about the skyrocketing property taxes on pretty much every door. He has been hosting forums for seniors to fill out their forms to freeze their property taxes, and those events have been consistently packed.

He said he has his team focused on doors, while he has been working the early polling places.

Then we went to the Northland, where we got to visit with Rep. Ashley Aune, who is wearing several hats this fall. We talked about her helping lead the House Democrats’ campaign efforts while running her own competitive general election this fall.

She says the intensity for the pro-Amendment 3 folks is building and that is going to be a key for winning some of the close house races. Her first prediction on how many seats the Democrats will pick up is 3-7, but when I pressed her she said they would be ecstatic about 5 seats.

We finished up with supper with Kansas City Councilman Nathan Willett. He said he was focused on one of the competitive House races in the northland, and making sure Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe finished strong.

We are heading back to the northland today to talk SD17 then off to the KMOS studios to tape our pre-election special on the #F150CampaignTour brought to you by the Missouri Farm Bureau.

Scott Faughn

Scott Faughn is the publisher of The Missouri Times, owner of the Clayton Times in Clayton; SEMO Times in Poplar Bluff; and host of the only statewide political television show, This Week in Missouri Politics.

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As an independent voter living in the Northland, I am very accustomed to being hounded with political ads from both sides come election season. Unfortunately, that means my phone, TV, and mailbox all get splattered with mudslinging. But this year, I am especially disappointed with the local politics in MO House District 17.

Shirley Mata’s hostility and apparent anger has overshadowed anything I’m seeing on the national level (which is really saying something). Name calling, spreading false rumors, including profanity in her advertising: these are things we wouldn’t let children get away with in a student government election! As a retired elementary school teacher, I held my young kindergarteners to a higher standard.

Of course, both sides have outside groups helping to smear the mud around, but I’ve only seen one candidate in this state house race churning out the negative muck with her own voice and keyboard.

If Shirley Mata cannot act professionally on the campaign trail, I can only imagine how she’d conduct herself as my representative. If elected, I think Shirley Mata would be sidelined in the state capitol on day one—and as a result, my community and I will suffer the loss of a respected bipartisan voice who can actually get results for our local needs.

I may not completely align with all the things either candidate stands for in this state house race, but I will certainly not be voting for a candidate who’s made it clear she’s a bully who refuses to play nice with others. I implore my neighbors in the Northland to hold our politicians to a higher standard so that this kind of behavior is not rewarded—whichever party it comes from.

Judith Cauldwell

Judith Cauldwell is a retired teacher who resides in the 17th Missouri House District.

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