CQ Politics | Governor Detail: Missouri

CQ 2008 Election Guide

Race to Watch

Missouri, Governor

Vote for winner in 2004: 51 percent

Blunt, who was narrowly elected in 2004 over Democrat Claire McCaskill (now a U.S. senator), shocked the Missouri political establishment with his announcement in January that he will not seek re-election this year. The governor, the 37-year-old son of House Minority Whip Roy Blunt , said that he had accomplished his goals. But he had mediocre approval ratings and would have faced a challenging race against Democratic state Attorney General Jay Nixon, who was first elected to that position in 1992 and is still his party ’ s presumed nominee for governor. Among the Republicans who are vying to oppose Nixon are Rep. Kenny Hulshof , who represents Missouri ’ s 9th District, and state Treasurer Sarah Steelman. Missouri surely will be a battleground in the presidential election, and the contest for governor should be close, too.

Race Information

Incumbent: Matt Blunt, R
First Elected: 2004 (1st term)
Incumbent Status: Announced intention to retire
Challengers: Jay Nixon, D; Kenny Hulshof, R; Andrew Finkenstadt, LIBERT; Gregory Thompson, CNSTP; Theodis Brown, X; Mark Serati, X
Race Forecast: Leans Democratic

State Information

U.S. Senate Delegation: 1 Democrat, 1 Republican
U.S. House Delegation: 4 Democrats, 5 Republicans

Senators: Sen. Christopher S. Bond, R; First Elected: 1986 (4th term); Last Elected: 2004 (56.09%); Sen. Claire McCaskill, D; First Elected: 2006 (1st term); Last Elected: 2006 (49.58%)

State Offices: State House Control: Republican; State Senate Control: Republican

Demographics (2000 census): Population (2005): 5,800,310; Under 18: 25.5%; Over 65: 13.5%; Non-Hispanic White: 83.8%; Black: 11.2%; Hispanic: 2.1%; Asian: 1.1%; American Indian: 0.4%; Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0.1%; Median Household Income: 37,934; Median Household Income Rank: 34

State Election History
Year	Election	Candidate	Votes	Percent
2008	general	Jay Nixon (D)	1,675,270	58.4%
		Kenny Hulshof (R)	1,133,779	39.5%
		Andrew Finkenstadt (LIBERT)	31,791	1.1%
		Gregory Thompson (CNSTP)	28,867	1%
		Theodis Brown (X)	101
		Mark Serati (X)	72

2004	general	Matt Blunt (R)	1,382,419	50.8%
		Claire McCaskill (D)	1,301,442	47.8%
		John Swenson (LIBERT)	24,378	0.9%
		Robert Wells (CNSTP)	11,299	0.4%

2000	general	Bob Holden (D)	1,152,752	49.1%
		Jim Talent (R)	1,131,307	48.2%
		Larry Rice (I)	34,431	1.5%
		John Swenson (LIBERT)	11,274	0.5%
		Lavoy Reed (GREEN)	9,008	0.4%
		Richard Kline (REF)	4,916	0.2%
		Richard Smith (CNSTP)	3,142	0.1%

1996	general	Mel Carnahan (D)	1,224,801	57.2%
		Margaret Kelly (R)	866,268	40.4%
		J. Mark Oglesby (LIBERT)	51,432	2.4%

1992	general	Mel Carnahan (D)	1,375,425	58.7%
1992	general	William L. Webster (R)	968,574	41.3%

Vote For President
Year	Democrat	Republican
2004	John Kerry: 46%	George W. Bush: 53%
2000	Al Gore: 47%	George W. Bush: 50%
1996	Bill Clinton: 48%	Robert Dole: 41%
1992	Bill Clinton: 44%	George H. W. Bush: 34%