The Key Races
President: Republican Donald Trump
Get a fresh take on the day’s top news
Subscribe to the St. Louis Daily newsletter for a smart, succinct guide to local news from award-winning journalists Sarah Fenske and Ryan Krull.
The reality-television star and business owner stressed his outsider status and won in an upset against Democrat Hillary Clinton. He campaigned to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, block Muslim immigration, close off trade relations, stop protecting NATO allies, revitalize the manufacturing industry, repeal the Affordable Care Act, and “make America great again.”
Missouri Governor: Republican Eric Greitens
A former Navy SEAL, bestselling author, and the founder of The Mission Continues, Greitens ran as “not a politician” against Democrat Chris Koster. Greitens has pledged to place limits on campaign contributions, build job stability for the middle class, and cut spending. He also opposes abortion and protects gun rights. (For more on Greitens, read staff writer Jeannette Cooperman’s profile from the May issue.)
U.S. Senate: Republican Roy Blunt
A former school teacher and public servant, the longtime legislator ran a close race against Democrat Jason Kander. Blunt has campaigned to repeal the Affordable Care Act and limit “government overreach.”
Lieutenant Governor: Republican Mike Parson
A small-business owner and farmer-turned-sheriff-turned-politician, Parson was a key figure in passing the Right to Farm amendment and says he intends to continue advocating for farmers. He also supports gun rights, opposes abortion, and wants to limit state taxes.
Secretary of State: Republican Jay Ashcroft
The attorney and son of John Ashcroft (the former U.S. Attorney General and Missouri governor/senator/attorney general/auditor) has promised to enable small businesses by reducing fees and regulations. He also supported voter ID measures as part of his plans to change election laws and promised to reduce government expenditures.
State Treasurer: Republican Eric Schmitt
A state senator who previously served as alderman in Glendale, Schmitt promises to make the budget accessible to the public through an online portal. He also plans to improve the MOST 529 college savings program, advocate for Missourians with disabilities, invest in Missouri-based banks, and ban the state from doing business with companies that interact with Iran.
Attorney General: Republican Josh Hawley
The attorney is another candidate who stressed his outsider status and promises to end corruption, protect gun rights, and oppose abortion, in addition to lawsuit reform and fighting crime.
The Measures
See full texts of the amendments here.
Amendment 1: YES
Voters decided to continue contributing a one-tenth of 1 percent sales/use tax toward conservation of state parks and historic sites. This amendment will be reconsidered again in 2026.
Amendment 2: YES
Intended to prevent individuals and groups from exerting a “disproportionate level of influence over the political process,” this amendment places limits on campaign donations and prevents large anonymous contributions.
Amendment 3: NO
This proposed legislation would have levied a cigarette tax toward an education fund. Backing from “big tobacco” and clauses about abortion, scientific research, and religious rights, however, made the measure controversial.
Amendment 4: YES
This amendment prevents the government from adding new taxes to any service or transaction that was not taxed before January 2015. Opponents say it will prevent Missouri from revising its tax structure; proponents say services shouldn’t be taxed.
Amendment 6: YES
This legislation will enact ID laws requiring Missouri voters to present government-distributed identification in order to cast a ballot. Proponents say it will prevent voter fraud; opponents said it will disenfranchise voters.
Proposition A: NO
This proposition was an alternate tobacco tax. Opponents said it could limit future tax changes.
Proposition S: YES AND NO
St. Louis City passed a tax to support elderly St. Louisans; St. Louis and St. Charles counties voted no. Opponents argued that the distribution of funds seemed insufficient.
The U.S. House
Familiar faces will remain in the U.S. House of Representatives for the next two years, with all eight winners being incumbents.
District 1: Democrat Lacy Clay
District 2: Republican Ann Wagner
District 3: Republican Blaine Luetkemeyer
District 4: Republican Vicky Hartzler
District 5: Democrat Emanuel Cleaver II
District 6: Republican Sam Graves
District 7: Republican Billy Long
District 8: Republican Jason Smith
The Local Races
In the Missouri State House of Representatives, Republicans gained two seats and Democrats gained one.
In the Missouri State Senate, Republicans gained two seats and Democrats gained one. Democrats Scott Sifton, Jamilah Nasheed, Jason Holsman, Shalonn Curls, John Rizzo, Gina Walsh, and Jacob Hummel join Republicans Gary Romine, Andrew Koenig, Ryan Silvey, Caleb Rowden, Denny Hoskins, Bill Eigel, Doug Libla, Wayne Wallingford, David Sater, Ed Emery, and Mike Cunningham.
Republicans retain their majority in both the House and the Senate.
Missouri Supreme Court Justice Richard B. Teitelman remains at his station for another term.
Meanwhile, of the 48 judges up for re-election, nearly all were retained, except for Associate Circuit Judge Dale W. Hood, the only individual on the ballot not recommended by the Missouri Bar Association.
Update: At 10:30 a.m. we updated this post to clarify the results of Proposition S.
