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Missouri state executive official elections, 2016

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Missouri Executive Official Elections
Top Ballot
Governor •Lt. Governor
Attorney General •Secretary of State
Treasurer
Down Ballot
None

The Show Me State
Key election dates
Filing deadline (major parties):
March 29, 2016
Primary date:
August 2, 2016
Filing deadline (general election):
August 23, 2016
General election date:
November 8, 2016
Recount request deadline:
TBD
Inauguration:
January 9, 2017

Five state executive offices inMissouriwere up for election in2016:

HIGHLIGHTS
  • Missouri has adivided government and is regarded as a swing state, with bothDemocrats andRepublicans winning statewide elections in recent years.
  • All five offices up for election were open races in 2016 and were expected to be highly competitive.
  • All five seats were won by Republicans, four of which changed party hands. Republicans also won the governorship, earning the partytrifecta control of the state.

    • Contents

    Context of the 2016 elections

    Primary elections

    Aprimary election is an election in which voters select the candidate they believe should represent a political party in a general election. Primaries usually take place several months before a general election. Missouri utilizes anopen primary system, in which registered voters do not have to be members of a party to vote in that party's primary.[1][2][3]

    Missouri's primary elections took place onAugust 2, 2016.

    Party control in Missouri

    Missouri had a divided government after GovernorJay Nixon (D) assumed office in 2009, which ended a four-year Republicantrifecta. Prior to that, Democrats had trifecta control of the state government from 1993 to 2000. The governorship in Missouri tended to alternate party hands from the 1970s to the 2016 election, with no party controlling the seat for more than 12 years continuously. DemocratClaire McCaskill represented Missouri in theU.S. Senate from 2007 to the 2016 election; she served alongsideRoy Blunt (R), who was elected in 2011.

    2016 elections

    Races we watched

    Governor

    Missouri's gubernatorial election in2016 was one of the most-watchedcontests for governor in 2016. RepublicanEric Greitens won the seat—which had previously been held by a Democrat—giving the Republican Partytrifecta control of the state.

    HIGHLIGHTS
  • Democratic GovernorJay Nixon was ineligible for re-election due toterm limits.
  • Former Navy Seal and nonprofit CEOEric Greitens (R) defeatedAttorney GeneralChris Koster in the November general election. Greitens' victory earned Republicans trifecta control of the state.
  • Eric Greitens defeatedLt. Gov.Peter Kinder, businessmanJohn Brunner, and former state House SpeakerCatherine Hanaway in the August 2 Republican primary election.
  • The race wasrated as aToss-up.

    • Lieutenant governor

    Missouri held an election forlieutenant governor onNovember 8, 2016, with a primary onAugust 2.RepublicanMike Parson won the general election, keeping the seat in Republican hands.

    HIGHLIGHTS
  • IncumbentPeter Kinder (R) was eligible for re-election in 2016 but instead unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination forgovernor, leaving the lieutenant governor election an open and highly competitive race.
  • Though Republicans have held the seat since 2005, Democrats had controlled the office for most of the 80 years prior.
  • FormerU.S. CongressmanRuss Carnahan won theDemocratic nomination on August 2 and competed withstate SenatorMike Parson, who won theRepublican nomination,LibertarianSteven Hedrick,Green Party candidateJennifer Leach, and write-inJake Wilburn in the November 8 general election.
  • Parson won the general election on November 8, 2016.

    • Attorney general

    Missouri held an election forattorney general onNovember 8, 2016, with primary elections held onAugust 2.RepublicanJosh Hawley won election to the seat, which had previously been held byDemocrats.

    HIGHLIGHTS
  • IncumbentAttorney General Chris Koster (D), although eligible for re-election to a third term, did not run, having decided torun for governor of Missouri instead.
  • Cass County ProsecutorTeresa Hensley defeatedJake Zimmerman in the August 2Democratic primary election. Law professorJosh Hawley defeatedstate Sen.Kurt Schaefer in theRepublican primary election.
  • The general election wasrated as aToss-up; Democrats were at risk of losing control of the seat in November.
  • Hawley won the general election on November 8, 2016.

    • Secretary of state

    Missouri held an election forsecretary of state onNovember 8, 2016.RepublicanJay Ashcroft won the seat, which had previously been held byDemocrats.

    HIGHLIGHTS
  • IncumbentJason Kander (D) declined to seek re-election, running for theUnited States Senate instead.
  • Democrats have controlled the office for most of the past seven decades.
  • Retired news anchorRobin Smith (D) and attorneyJay Ashcroft (R) won their parties' nominations on August 2. The two competed along withChris Morrill (Lib.), who ran unopposed in his party's primary election, in November.
  • Ashcroft won the general election on November 8, 2016.

    • Elections by office

    Governor

    To view race information, click [show] to expand the full section.
    		 

    Eric Greitens square.jpg

    Eric Greitens(R)
    Nonprofit executive, former Navy SEAL

    Cisse Spragins square.jpg

    Cisse Spragins(Lib.)
    2012 Libertarian candidate forsecretary of state

    Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

    Lester Turilli Jr.(Ind.)
    Unknown


    Click [show] to see candidates who were defeated in the primary elections or who withdrew from this race. 

    Defeated in the primary elections

    Prominent candidates

    Ballotpedia uses avariety of standards to determine which candidates will feature prominently in a given race.

    Eric Morrison.png

    Eric Morrison(D)
    Pastor and civil rights activist

    John Brunner square.jpg

    John Brunner(R)
    Businessman

    Peter Kinder square.jpeg

    Peter Kinder(R)
    Lieutenant governor of Missouri since 2005


    Other candidates

    Leonard Steinman (D) -Retired truck driver[4]

    Withdrawn

    Randy Asbury (R)-Former member of the Missouri House of Representatives[5]

    Bob Dixon (R)-Missouri State Senator[6]
    Tom Schweich (R)-Former Missouri state auditor (deceased)
    Mike Parson (R)-Missouri state senator[7]

    Martin Lindstedt (Lib.)

    General election

    Eric Greitens defeatedChris Koster,Cisse Spragins,Lester Turilli, andDon Fitz in the Missouri governor election.
    Missouri Governor, 2016
    PartyCandidateVote %Votes
        RepublicanGreen check mark transparent.pngEric Greitens51.29%1,424,730
        DemocraticChris Koster45.40%1,261,110
        LibertarianCisse Spragins1.47%40,718
        IndependentLester Turilli Jr.1.07%29,774
        GreenDon Fitz0.75%20,785
    Write-in votes0.03%737
    Total Votes2,777,854
    Source:Missouri Secretary of State

    Primary election results

    Democratic primary election

    Chris Koster defeatedEric Morrison,Charles B. Wheeler, andLeonard Steinman in the Missouri Democratic primary for governor.
    Missouri Democratic primary for governor, 2016
    CandidateVote %Votes
    Green check mark transparent.pngChris Koster78.75%256,272
    Eric Morrison9.67%31,474
    Charles B. Wheeler7.91%25,756
    Leonard Steinman3.66%11,911
    Total Votes (3214 of 3214 precincts reporting)325,413
    Source:Missouri Secretary of State

    Republican primary election

    Eric Greitens defeatedJohn Brunner,Peter Kinder, andCatherine Hanaway in the Missouri Republican primary for governor.
    Missouri Republican primary for governor, 2016
    CandidateVote %Votes
    Green check mark transparent.pngEric Greitens34.56%236,481
    John Brunner24.79%169,620
    Peter Kinder20.70%141,629
    Catherine Hanaway19.95%136,521
    Total Votes (3214 of 3214 precincts reporting)684,251
    Source:Missouri Secretary of State

    Libertarian primary election

    Cisse Spragins ran unopposed in the Missouri Libertarian primary for governor.
    Missouri Libertarian primary for governor, 2016
    CandidateVote %Votes
    Green check mark transparent.pngCisse Spragins (unopposed)100.00%3,515
    Total Votes (3214 of 3214 precincts reporting)3,515
    Source:Missouri Secretary of State

    Lieutenant governor

    To view race information, click [show] to expand the full section.
    		 

    Jake Wilburn.jpg

    Jake Wilburn(write-in)
    Healthcare safety

    Jennifer Leach.jpg

    Jennifer Leach(Green Party)
    Musician, former automotive worker


    Click [show] to see candidates who were defeated in the primary elections, declined to run, or withdrew from this race. 

    Defeated in the primary elections

    Winston Apple square.jpg

    Winston Apple(D)
    Musician

    Bev Randles.jpg

    Bev Randles(R)
    Private practice attorney


    Other candidates

    Ballotpedia uses avariety of standards to determine which candidates will feature prominently in a given race.

    AC Dienoff (R) -2012 candidate for theMissouri House of Representatives[8]

    Declined

    Brad Bradshaw (D) -physician and attorney[9]
    Jason Holsman (D) -state senator
    Peter Kinder (R) -incumbent

    Withdrew

    Mary Bower(write-in)[10]

    General election

    Mike Parson defeatedRuss Carnahan,Steven Hedrick,Jennifer Leach, andJake Wilburn in the Missouri lieutenant governor election.
    Missouri Lieutenant Governor, 2016
    PartyCandidateVote %Votes
        RepublicanGreen check mark transparent.pngMike Parson55.18%1,262,751
        DemocraticRuss Carnahan39.99%915,221
        LibertarianSteven Hedrick2.48%56,804
        GreenJennifer Leach2.33%53,273
        Write-inJake Wilburn0.02%405
    Total Votes2,288,454
    Source:Missouri Secretary of State

    Primary elections

    Democratic primary election

    Russ Carnahan defeatedTommie Pierson andWinston Apple in the Missouri Democratic primary for lieutenant governor.
    Missouri Democratic primary for lieutenant governor, 2016
    CandidateVote %Votes
    Green check mark transparent.pngRuss Carnahan75.93%243,157
    Tommie Pierson12.09%38,700
    Winston Apple11.98%38,372
    Total Votes (3214 of 3214 precincts reporting)320,229
    Source:Missouri Secretary of State

    Republican primary election

    Mike Parson defeatedBev Randles andAC Dienoff in the Missouri Republican primary for lieutenant governor.
    Missouri Republican primary for lieutenant governor, 2016
    CandidateVote %Votes
    Green check mark transparent.pngMike Parson51.50%331,367
    Bev Randles43.85%282,134
    AC Dienoff4.64%29,872
    Total Votes (3214 of 3214 precincts reporting)643,373
    Source:Missouri Secretary of State

    Libertarian primary election

    Steven Hedrick ran unopposed in the Missouri Libertarian primary for lieutenant governor.
    Missouri Libertarian primary for lieutenant governor, 2016
    CandidateVote %Votes
    Green check mark transparent.pngSteven Hedrick (unopposed)100.00%3,507
    Total Votes (3214 of 3214 precincts reporting)3,507
    Source:Missouri Secretary of State

    Attorney general

    To view race information, click [show] to expand the full section.
    		 

    Teresa Hensley square.jpg

    Teresa Hensley(D)
    Cass County prosecutor

    Josh Hawley square.jpg

    Josh Hawley(R)
    Professor, University of Missouri Law School since 2011


    Click [show] to view candidates who declined to run in this election or who were defeated in the primary elections. 

    Declined

    Chris Koster (D)-Incumbent
    Scott Sifton (D) -state senator

    Defeated

    Jake Zimmerman.jpg

    Jake Zimmerman(D)
    St. Louis County assessor since 2011

    Kurt Schaefer square.jpg

    Kurt Schaefer(R)
    State Sen. since 2009

    General election

    Josh Hawley defeatedTeresa Hensley in the Missouri attorney general election.
    Missouri Attorney General, 2016
    PartyCandidateVote %Votes
        RepublicanGreen check mark transparent.pngJosh Hawley61.10%1,389,196
        DemocraticTeresa Hensley38.90%884,354
    Total Votes2,273,550
    Source:Missouri Secretary of State

    Primary elections

    Democratic primary election

    Teresa Hensley defeatedJake Zimmerman in the Missouri Democratic primary for attorney general.
    Missouri Democratic primary for attorney general, 2016
    CandidateVote %Votes
    Green check mark transparent.pngTeresa Hensley52.72%167,626
    Jake Zimmerman47.28%150,322
    Total Votes (3214 of 3214 precincts reporting)317,948
    Source:Missouri Secretary of State

    Republican primary election

    Josh Hawley defeatedKurt Schaefer in the Missouri Republican primary for attorney general.
    Missouri Republican primary for attorney general, 2016
    CandidateVote %Votes
    Green check mark transparent.pngJosh Hawley64.22%415,702
    Kurt Schaefer35.78%231,657
    Total Votes (3214 of 3214 precincts reporting)647,359
    Source:Missouri Secretary of State

    Secretary of State

    To view race information, click [show] to expand the full section.
    		 

    Robin Smith submission.jpg

    Robin Smith(D)
    Retired news anchor

    Jay Ashcroft square.jpg

    Jay Ashcroft(R)
    Private practice attorney

    Chris Morrill.jpg

    Chris Morrill(Lib.)
    Insurance and financial services professional


    Click [show] to see candidates that were defeated in the primary elections. 

    Prominent candidates

    Ballotpedia uses avariety of standards to determine which candidates will feature prominently in a given race.

    MD Rabbi Alam square.jpeg

    MD Rabbi Alam(D)
    C.E.O., Minority Directed Small Business since 2007

    Will Kraus square.jpg

    Will Kraus(R)
    State Sen. since 2011


    Other candidates

    Roi Chinn (R) -businessman
    Bill Clinton Young (D) -2012 candidate for theMissouri House of Representatives

    General election results

    Jay Ashcroft defeatedRobin Smith andChris Morrill in the Missouri secretary of state election.
    Missouri Secretary of State, 2016
    PartyCandidateVote %Votes
        RepublicanGreen check mark transparent.pngJay Ashcroft57.62%1,591,086
        DemocraticRobin Smith38.45%1,061,788
        LibertarianChris Morrill3.93%108,568
    Total Votes2,761,442
    Source:Missouri Secretary of State

    Primary election results

    Democratic primary election

    Robin Smith defeatedBill Clinton Young andMD Rabbi Alam in the Missouri Democratic primary for secretary of state.
    Missouri Democratic primary for secretary of state, 2016
    CandidateVote %Votes
    Green check mark transparent.pngRobin Smith77.28%241,736
    Bill Clinton Young16.06%50,228
    MD Rabbi Alam6.66%20,836
    Total Votes (3214 of 3214 precincts reporting)312,800
    Source:Missouri Secretary of State

    Republican primary election

    Jay Ashcroft defeatedWill Kraus andRoi Chinn in the Missouri Republican primary for secretary of state.
    Missouri Republican primary for secretary of state, 2016
    CandidateVote %Votes
    Green check mark transparent.pngJay Ashcroft61.33%401,361
    Will Kraus34.60%226,473
    Roi Chinn4.07%26,638
    Total Votes (3214 of 3214 precincts reporting)654,472
    Source:Missouri Secretary of State

    Libertarian primary election

    Chris Morrill ran unopposed in the Missouri Libertarian primary for secretary of state.
    Missouri Libertarian primary for secretary of state, 2016
    CandidateVote %Votes
    Green check mark transparent.pngChris Morrill (unopposed)100.00%3,491
    Total Votes (3214 of 3214 precincts reporting)3,491
    Source:Missouri Secretary of State

    Treasurer

    To view race information, click [show] to expand the full section.
    		 

    Judy Baker.jpeg

    Judy Baker(D)
    Small business owner

    Eric Schmitt square.jpeg

    Eric Schmitt(R)
    State Sen. since 2009

    Sean O'Toole square.jpg

    Sean O'Toole(Lib.)
    Software developer


    Click [show] to see candidates who were defeated in the primary elections or who withdrew from this race. 

    Defeated

    Pat Contreras square.jpg

    Pat Contreras(D)
    Member, Jackson County Veterans Task Force

    WIthdrew

    Dan Brown (R)-Missouri State Senator

    General election results

    Eric Schmitt defeatedJudy Baker,Sean O'Toole, andCarol Hexem in the Missouri treasurer election.
    Missouri Treasurer, 2016
    PartyCandidateVote %Votes
        RepublicanGreen check mark transparent.pngEric Schmitt59.01%1,335,939
        DemocraticJudy Baker36.90%835,527
        LibertarianSean O'Toole2.83%64,089
        GreenCarol Hexem1.26%28,523
    Total Votes2,264,078
    Source:Missouri Secretary of State

    Primary election results

    Democratic primary election

    Judy Baker defeatedPat Contreras in the Missouri Democratic primary for treasurer.
    Missouri Democratic primary for treasurer, 2016
    CandidateVote %Votes
    Green check mark transparent.pngJudy Baker59.25%182,218
    Pat Contreras40.75%125,338
    Total Votes (3214 of 3214 precincts reporting)307,556
    Source:Missouri Secretary of State

    Republican primary election

    Eric Schmitt ran unopposed in the Missouri Republican primary for treasurer.
    Missouri Republican primary for treasurer, 2016
    CandidateVote %Votes
    Green check mark transparent.pngEric Schmitt (unopposed)100.00%563,047
    Total Votes (3214 of 3214 precincts reporting)563,047
    Source:Missouri Secretary of State

    Libertarian primary election

    Sean O'Toole ran unopposed in the Missouri Libertarian primary for treasurer.
    Missouri Libertarian primary for treasurer, 2016
    CandidateVote %Votes
    Green check mark transparent.pngSean O'Toole (unopposed)100.00%3,483
    Total Votes (3214 of 3214 precincts reporting)3,483
    Source:Missouri Secretary of State


    Voter registration

    For full information aboutvoting in Missouri, contact thestate election agency.

    Registration

    Missouri utilizes anopen primary system, meaning voters are not required to declare a party preference when registering to vote.

    To vote in Missouri, you must be 18 years old, a United States citizen and Missouri resident.[11]

    Online registration

    See also:Online voter registration

    Missouri does not permit online voter registration.


    Past elections

    2015

    There were no state executive elections in Missouri in 2015.

    2014

    TheMissouri Auditor was the only state executive office in Missouri up for election in 2014.

    2013

    There were no elections in Missouri in 2013.

    2012

    Five state executive offices were up for election includinggovernor,lieutenant governor,attorney general,secretary of state andtreasurer.

    State profile

    Demographic data for Missouri
     MissouriU.S.
    Total population:6,076,204316,515,021
    Land area (sq mi):68,7423,531,905
    Race and ethnicity**
    White:82.6%73.6%
    Black/African American:11.5%12.6%
    Asian:1.8%5.1%
    Native American:0.4%0.8%
    Pacific Islander:0.1%0.2%
    Two or more:2.4%3%
    Hispanic/Latino:3.9%17.1%
    Education
    High school graduation rate:88.4%86.7%
    College graduation rate:27.1%29.8%
    Income
    Median household income:$48,173$53,889
    Persons below poverty level:18.2%11.3%
    Source:U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
    Clickhere for more information on the 2020 census andhere for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Missouri.
    **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the censushere.

    Presidential voting pattern

    See also:Presidential voting trends in Missouri

    Missourivoted Republican in all seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.


    More Missouri coverage on Ballotpedia

    See also

    MissouriState Executive ElectionsNews and Analysis
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    Missouri State Executive Offices
    Missouri State Legislature
    Missouri Courts
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    Missouri elections:2026 •2025 •2024 •2023 •2022 •2021 •2020 •2019 •2018 •2017 •2016
    Party control of state government
    State government trifectas
    State of the state addresses
    Partisan composition of governors

    External links

    Footnotes

    1. ↑National Conference of State Legislatures Website, "State Primary Election Types," accessed January 6, 2014
    2. ↑Fair Vote, "Congressional and Presidential Primaries: Open, Closed, Semi-Closed, and 'Top Two,'" accessed January 6, 2014
    3. ↑Ballotpedia research conducted December 26, 2013, through January 3, 2014, researching and analyzing various state websites and codes.
    4. ↑Missouri Secretary of State, "Unofficial Candidate Filing List," accessed March 31, 2016
    5. ↑KOMU, "Republican Randy Asbury drops out of race for governor," September 25, 2015
    6. ↑Dave Helling,The Kansas City Star, "Sen. Bob Dixon drops Missouri governor bid," November 24, 2015
    7. ↑Steve Kraske,The Kansas City Star, "GOP source: Mike Parson will switch from governor's race to lieutenant governor," July 24, 2015
    8. ↑Missouri Secretary of State, "Unofficial candidate filing list," accessed April 2, 2016
    9. ↑The Missouri Times, "January 28, 2016
    10. ↑Facebook, "Missouri Lt. Governor Race, elect Mary Bower," accessed August 25, 2015
    11. ↑Missouri Secretary of State, "Register to Vote," accessed June 10, 2014
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