Michael Leo Kehoe[1] (born January 17, 1962) is an American politician serving as the 58th governor of Missouri since 2025.[2] A member of the Republican Party, he served as the 48th lieutenant governor of Missouri from 2018 to 2025. Kehoe previously served in the Missouri Senate, representing the state's 6th senatorial district, and was majority leader from 2015 to 2018.[3] On June 18, 2018, Governor Mike Parson appointed Kehoe as Missouri's lieutenant governor. Parson and Kehoe were elected to a full term in 2020.
Kehoe was born and raised in the St. Louis area by his single mother, Lorraine Kehoe. He is the youngest of six children. His father left the family when he was one year old. After his father's departure, Lorraine worked multiple jobs simultaneously to support the family. Kehoe attended Catholic schools in the area, including Chaminade College Preparatory School.[6]
At age 25, Kehoe began working for Osage Industries, a company involved with auto parts and manufacturing ambulances.[7] After selling Osage Industries in 1992, he purchased an auto dealership in Jefferson City, Missouri, but sold it shortly after entering politics.[8]
Missouri Senate
In 2005, Governor Matt Blunt appointed Kehoe to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission.[9] In 2010, without having held elected office before, Kehoe ran for the 6th District State Senate seat to succeed Carl Vogel. In a close Republican primary, he defeated three other candidates to advance to the general election, where he was unopposed.[10]
During the 96th General Assembly, Kehoe served on the following committees:[3]
Vice-Chairman, Transportation Committee
Member, Education Committee
Member, Commerce Committee
Member, Consumer Protection Committee
Member, Energy & the Environment Committee
Lieutenant Governor of Missouri
Mike Kehoe as Lieutenant governor
On June 18, 2018, Governor Mike Parson appointed Kehoe as lieutenant governor. The appointment came with legal uncertainty, as a state law (not the Constitution of Missouri) states that the governor can fill all vacancies "other than in the offices of lieutenant governor, state senator or representative, sheriff, or recorder of deeds in the city of St. Louis". The Constitution of Missouri states "The governor shall fill all vacancies in public offices unless otherwise provided by law, and his appointees shall serve until their successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified." Parson said he believed that the Constitution gave him authority to appoint Kehoe lieutenant governor.[11][12]
The Democrats lost their lawsuit in the Cole County Circuit Court due to lack of standing and the vagueness of state law, which says the governor may not appoint the lieutenant governor but provides no process to fill the position. That lawsuit was on appeal in the Missouri Supreme Court, Appeal No. SC97284,[13] with oral argument held on November 7, 2018. On April 16, 2019, the Missouri Supreme Court upheld Kehoe's appointment by a 5–2 vote. The decision, written by Chief Justice Zel Fischer, said, "Governor Parson was within his constitutional authority when he appointed Kehoe to the office of Lieutenant Governor".[14]
Kehoe was elected lieutenant governor in his own right in 2020.[15]
Governor of Missouri
Campaign
In March 2021, Kehoe announced his intention to run for governor in 2024.[4] As of July 2024, he had raised almost $13 million, receiving significant donations from businesses that bid for state contracts and Rex Sinquefield.[16][17] Opponents criticized Kehoe for renting a charter bus for the campaign from lobbyist Jewell Patek, whose client Smithfield Foods is owned by Chinese agricultural company WH Group.[18]
After Kehoe won the Republican primary, his campaign received donations from Torch Electronics, which has been in a prolonged legal battle with the state of Missouri over its unregulated slot machines, and Good Day Farms, a cannabis company. Both companies are clients of lobbyist Steven Tilley.[19]
In April 2025, Kehoe withdrew his nomination of Tom Prater to the Missouri Board of Education after pressure from right-wing groups and Senator Mike Moon, who raised concerns about Prater's support for public schools and teacher unions and his involvement in a bipartisan civic group in Springfield, Missouri. Prater had already served on the board in an interim role, appointed by Mike Parson, and Kehoe's spokesperson told press that he was confident in Prater's qualifications for the role.[23]
Education
In 2025, Kehoe prioritized increased funding for the MOScholars program, a tax-credit program that facilitates scholarships for private and parochial schools. The program, established in 2021, raised less than $25 million in donations the previous year. Kehoe presented a budget proposal that allocated $50 million for the program while underfunding the state education department. The state senate initially overruled the proposal, but the final proposal included funding for both. Democratic representatives have questioned both the legality and sustainability of general revenue funds for private school scholarships, and say this is a move toward privatizing education.[24]
Personal life
Kehoe and his wife, Claudia, married in 1989 and have four children. He is the second Roman Catholic (after Thomas Eagleton) to have served as lieutenant governor of Missouri.[25]
Electoral history
State senator
Missouri 6th District State Senator Republican Primary 2010[10]
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