Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe is rooted in relationships. Whether it be valued meetings with soybean growers, casual conversations with cattle ranchers, sessions in the Capitol with state legislators or spending quality time with friends and family – Kehoe understands the sincere importance of connection.
Mike Kehoe currently serves as Missouri’s 48th lieutenant governor. Prior to this position, he represented the Sixth Senatorial District as a state senator, and led Missouri as the Assistant Majority Leader and Majority Leader.
Kehoe and his wife, Claudia, have called mid-Missouri home for more than 30 years and are the proud parents of four children. A man of strong faith and family values, Kehoe stays grounded in his relationships throughout the state.
THE RETURN ON RELATIONSHIPS
Kehoe personally understands agriculture as a first-generation farmer, raising cattle on his farm in Phelps and Pulaski counties. His consistent support for the agricultural community and soybean stakeholders on key issues was noted by the Missouri Soybean Association’s (MSA) board of directors in its decision to endorse Kehoe for governor in 2024.
As the youngest of six kids, raised by a single mother in St. Louis, Kehoe never thought he would end up owning and operating a farm. When Kehoe was just 15, he started working at Dave Sinclair Ford in St. Louis County. The owner of the dealership, Dave Sinclair, became a mentor to Kehoe and helped him learn not only about selling cars but also about the agriculture industry at his farm in Phelps County outside of St. James.
“When you worked for Dave, some days you washed cars, some days you fixed fence down at his farm,” said Kehoe. “I got that taste of what it was like to be on a farm and in that rural setting, and I fell in love with the outdoors and agriculture.”
In 1984 at the young age of 22, Kehoe bought his first 20-acre ranch, running horses and a dozen Charolais momma cows. Kehoe lovingly named the family operation C bar K Ranch in honor of his late sister, Carol.
In conversation, Kehoe continuously reiterates agriculture bands together and consistently works to better the industry. Through bills and banter in the Capitol, agriculture never ceases to join forces for the betterment of the farmers’ livelihood.
Kehoe elaborated, “I think that’s how you move public policy forward. You build relationships at all levels of government.”
Kehoe built strong rapport with Sinclair, and through his hard work and determination, he moved up in the automotive industry, eventually acquiring his own dealership in Jefferson City. He has received the Time Magazine Quality Dealer Award and Ford’s President Award and was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame. Today, Kehoe remains a small businessman at heart, never forgetting the lessons learned at Mike Kehoe Ford-Lincoln.
When asked what type of candidate agriculture needs, Kehoe stated he firmly believes there are two attributes Missourians need to look for in a future governor. First, the candidate should be business minded.
“I think people who have signed both sides of the check have a unique look on policy,” said Kehoe.
Secondly, Missouri needs someone who can communicate across party lines.
“Politicians need to understand you can disagree with somebody while still maintaining a relationship with them to move things forward,” said Kehoe. “Maybe it’s not the core issue you believe in, but there will be other issues that come along. If you don’t have good relationships in the legislature, it doesn’t work.
STEWARD TO STATESMAN
Kehoe got his start in Missouri politics when he was appointed by Gov. Matt Blunt to serve on the Highway Commission from 2005 to 2010.
From 2011 to 2018, Kehoe advocated for agriculture and Missouri as a state senator. Through his leadership and strong relationships with both Republicans and Democrats, Kehoe was selected as Floor Leader.
“As Floor Leader, you don’t sponsor a lot of bills, but you have fingerprints on just about everything,” said Kehoe. “The three years I was Floor Leader, we were able to move a lot of legislation that helped electric co-ops and the agricultural community. I worked closely with the federal delegation to stop infringement into our family farms.”
To Kehoe, some of the biggest hurdles facing the agricultural industry include politics itself.
“I think we need to get government out of the famers’ way,” said Kehoe. “Farmers are smart, and they are resilient. I think making sure that government is there when they need it, but not overly burdensome with regulations and things that make their jobs tougher.”
MORE FOR MISSOURI AG
The 2024 gubernatorial race is important for many Missourians. According to Kehoe, this cycle is about securing Missouri’s future.
“Missouri is headed in the right direction, but we need to make sure we have a governor who understands how important this momentum is,” said Kehoe. “The next governor must be an experienced leader who is prepared to govern on Day 1 and is ready to take advantage of the opportunities in front of Missourians. I think Claudia and I fit that bill, and we are ready to lead.”
Farmers across the state strongly believe Kehoe has the vision to expand agriculture’s reach in Missouri and that he will continue to build upon the Show-Me State’s No. 1 commodity – soybeans.
“It’s critical that we have a friend of agriculture in the Capitol, serving with as much passion to better the industry as we are through the Association,” said Matt Wright, MSA president. “Soybean producers are faced with issues every day that heavily impact the way we operate on our family farms. Having Kehoe in office offers our growers relief from stifling state policy.”
As the growers’ voice on policy for more than 50 years, MSA takes pride in its candidate selection and support.
“It’s difficult for me to single out just one accomplishment for agriculture from Lt. Gov. Kehoe,” said Gary Wheeler, CEO and executive director of Missouri Soybeans. “You can tell agriculture remains important to the lieutenant governor. From helping pass ‘Right to Farm’ to presiding on the concentrated animal feeding operation bill, he supports the value of all sectors of agriculture, from row crops to livestock.”
His support of the agricultural community is proven through his chairmanship of various committees including the Show Me Missouri Food, Beverage and Forest Products Manufacturing Initiative Task Force.
Missouri Soybeans is proud of its relationship with Kehoe and many other elected officials who make decisions on behalf of farmers every day. It’s with these strengthened relationships that Missouri Soybeans believes agriculture can progress and remain innovative for generations to come.
Join MSA and the soybean producers of Missouri in supporting Mike Kehoe, friend of agriculture, in the 2024 gubernatorial race.
