JEFFERSON CITY — The top Democrat in the Missouri House said Thursday she is considering a run for governor and slammed Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, a possible opponent in the race, for believing public office is his “birthright.â€
Ashcroft, son of former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, who was also a Missouri governor and senator, announced Thursday he would run for Missouri governor in 2024. Voters first elected him to oversee the state’s elections in 2016, two years after he lost a closely watched contest for state Senate in ºüÀêÊÓƵ County.
House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, said Ashcroft “feels holding office is his birthright based on his father’s accomplishments instead of a sacred duty to serve the citizens of Missouri.â€
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Quade said Missourians didn’t deserve “an extremist who thinks he’s entitled to the People’s Mansion because of his last name.
“Missourians deserve a governor who is dedicated to them,†she said.
At a press conference after the statement was sent, Quade said she was “absolutely†considering a run for governor.
“We’ve not seen as much from him in terms of putting Missourians first,†Quade said, alluding to his opposition to federal legislation affirming gay marriage and his regulation to block funding for libraries that provide books that might appeal to a minor’s sexual interest.
“He continues to be pretty extreme,†Quade said. “And I think his run for governor is going to show us that all over again.â€
Before facing a Democrat in the general election, Ashcroft will have to win the August 2024 Republican primary. Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe is the only other major Republican to announce a bid. State Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, is considering one.
In Ashcroft’s announcement video, footage plays of Kehoe, before a crowd, slapping another man’s back at a lectern.
“Politicians and lobbyists in Jefferson City slap each other on the back while they give our tax dollars to global corporations, sell our farmland to China, and raise gas taxes on hard-working Missourians,†Ashcroft says in the video.
Kehoe responded to the dig later Thursday.
“I’m a people person. I like to look people in the eye, shake their hand, give them a man hug when we have to,†Kehoe told the Post-Dispatch. “It’s just my personality. I like building relationships and getting along with people. If the worst thing somebody calls me today is a ‘backslapper,’ it’s a pretty good day.â€
He said voters will see a “clear difference in choice†in the campaign.
“I assume most people knew he was looking at doing that so I’m not surprised. Welcome to the race,†Kehoe said.
He added, “I’m somebody who tries to build relationships and find out how to move the ball forward. I’ve spent my life building businesses and creating jobs and providing opportunities for Missourians.
“I think that background will lend itself to furthering the agenda we have here in the building of economic development and prosperity,“ Kehoe said.
Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden, asked about Ashcroft’s announcement and whether he thought the secretary of state would make a good governor, all but endorsed Kehoe.
“I really have grown to love and appreciate my relationship with Mike Kehoe,“ Rowden said when asked about Ashcroft.
Kurt Erickson of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.