Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, a Republican, is seeking a four-year term as governor and facing Democrat Crystal Quade, Libertarian Bill Slantz and Green Party candidate Paul Lehmann in the Nov. 5 general election.
Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican, could not seek another term because of term limits.
The governor is paid $137,167 annually, according to the Ballotpedia website.
Quade and Slantz did not return Leader surveys.
Kehoe, 62, of Jefferson City currently is the lieutenant governor of Missouri and is a Chaminade College Preparatory School graduate. He is married to Claudia and has four children.
Lehmann, 74, of Fayette is an ordained minister and worked for 34 years with the United Church of Christ. He is an organic farmer who lives on a 127-acre farm. He graduated from Jackson High School in 1967 and has a bachelor’s degree in education from Southeast Missouri State and a master of divinity degree from Eden Theological Seminary in Webster Groves. He has two children and three grandchildren.
What experience do you have (elected office, civic organization membership, volunteer work, etc.) that might serve you well in this position?
Kehoe: As a leader, small businessman and first-generation farmer, I have the real-world experience of creating jobs and providing economic opportunities for Missouri families. I have a proven track record of fighting the liberal agenda, cutting taxes and advancing solutions that protect Missouri’s common sense, conservative values. I have been endorsed by Missouri’s leading pro-business, pro-agriculture, and pro-public safety organizations and their thousands of members.
Lehmann: My experience as minister of several churches over the years has equipped me with the skill to organize groups to carry out tasks that need done. As governor, I would create various task force groups to study problems that need addressed, and those groups would make suggestions on how to improve organizations and systems, like education; agriculture and food distribution; prisons; courts; climate changes; government overreach and underreach, etc.
What specific needs exist in the state that you think need addressed, and how would you address them?
Kehoe: As governor, I will work to crack down on crime and illegal immigration, expand educational opportunities, support farmers and Missouri’s agriculture industry, grow our economy and cut taxes.
Lehmann: As governor, I would model the role of government expressed in the 1821 Missouri Constitution, which states that government should be an enabler of the well-being of “all persons” in their “pursuit of happiness” on a level playing field. I would tackle environmental degradation and implement solutions. I would fix the broken food system and transition our society from a chemical based system to an organic, sustainable food production and consumption system. I would work to transition from fossil fuel dependence to sustainable, local energy production and to reform educational, judiciary and prison systems, and small business regulations.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Kehoe: Born and raised in north St. Louis from humble beginnings, I worked hard to build successful businesses and achieve the American dream. I am focused on securing results for Missourians, not just rhetoric.
Lehmann: I would turn government from the current adversarial role of attacking the poor, minorities and foreigners to the Constitutional role to enable all peoples the right to live in dignity with equal opportunities in their pursuit of happiness. Examples are restoring voting rights to ex-felons; taking government restrictions off women’s health care decisions; providing universal health care; restructuring the tax code so the wealthy pay their share; removing unnecessary, harmful regulations, including in the judiciary; suspending the death penalty; restoring local control over health and safety threats by corporations like concentrated animal feeding operations; and integrating immigrants fleeing from danger.