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JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri governor Mike Parson on Tuesday officially filed to run for election as governor in 2020.
Parson, a Republican who was elected as lieutenant governor in 2016, was sworn in as governor on June 1, 2018, following the resignation of former Gov. Eric Greitens, who stepped down amid allegations of sexual and political misconduct.
“We will continue to work hard for the people of Missouri, in order to make sure everyone has the chance to pursue the American dream,” Parson said in a news release issued Tuesday. “In the next four years, we will continue building upon our successes that make a positive difference for Missourians, including workforce development and infrastructure, and that is why I intend to run for re-election in 2020.”
In addition to Parson, two other Republicans filed for governor Tuesday — Raleigh Ritter and Jim Neely — along with Democrats Nicole Galloway, Jimmie Matthews and Antoin Johnson and one Libertarian candidate, Rik Combs.
Galloway, of Columbia, was appointed state auditor in 2015 by then-Gov. Jay Nixon. Last year, she defeated Republican Saundra McDowell to win a full four-year term as auditor. She is the only Democrat holding a statewide office in Missouri.
“Infrastructure, support for education and addressing the rising cost of healthcare, when I am governor, those are the things I’m going to focus on,” Galloway said in a news conference Tuesday.
Speaking to a group of Perryville and Perry County officials last Wednesday, Parson said he was eager to stay in office.
“Since I got in as governor the way I did, I don’t owe anyone anything,” Parson said.
During his visit, he outlined several of what he considers his top priorities as governor, including jobs, education, workforce development and infrastructure.
Last week, Parson, who also attended a fundraiser Wednesday at Robinson Construction in Perryville, spoke of his accomplishments in office, especially in the area of job growth, where companies like Bunge, Bayer, Briggs & Stratton, CVS, Nucor Steel, Google and others have invested in Missouri, resulting in 40,000 new jobs for Missouri workers.
A third-generation farmer who continues to own and operate a cow-calf operation near his hometown of Bolivar, Parson spent six years in the Army as a member of the military police. After returning to Missouri, he served 22-years in law enforcement, including 12 years as sheriff of Polk County before spending time in the state legislature as both a representative and a senator.
In other state races, two persons filed for the Republican Primary for the 27th District State Senate seat, which includes Perry County. The two candidates are Holly Rehder of Scott City and Kathy Swan of Cape Girardeau.
In the state House, incumbent Dale Wright will face Bryant Wolfin of Ste. Genevieve for the 116th district seat, while Rick Francis of Perryville, who is seeking his third term, is currently unopposed in the 145th district.
Five candidates have filed for lieutenant governor, including two Republicans — Arnie C. AC Dienoff and Mike Kehoe — along with one Democrat, Gregory Upchurch, and one Libertarian, Bill Slantz.
Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, a Republican, will seek re-election, facing off with Democrat Yinka Faleti, while state treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick, also a Republican, will square off with Democratic challenger Vicki Lorenz Englund.
Attorney General Eric Schmitt is facing a pair of Democratic challengers in Rich Finneran and Elad Gross.
Filing will continue through March 31.
The primary election is set for Aug. 4th ahead of the general election on Nov. 3.
