Jon Patterson

Missouri voters handed historic defeats to two of Gov. Mike Kehoe's priorities: Amendment 5, which sought to eliminate the individual income tax, and Amendment 4, concerning how majorities are counted on constitutional amendments. Additionally, efforts regarding Amendment 3, which would make abortion illegal in Missouri in almost all instances, are facing intense fundraising competition. These defeats occur as Kehoe’s approval rating has narrowed during his first two years in office.

Missourians rejected Amendment 5 in Tuesday’s primary by an 83-16 margin, impacting downballot races. Candidates opposing the amendment, like Greg Sharpe and Lori Rook, saw mixed success, while anti-establishment efforts largely failed. Lori Rook’s victory over state Sen. Curtis Trent in the 20th District highlighted an exception.

Missouri House Speaker Jon Patterson faces former state Rep. Dan Stacy in the Republican primary for the State Senate's 8th District. Patterson, with $2.9 million in campaign funds, is challenged by Stacy, who has raised $43,000 largely from individual donors, highlighting a 67-to-1 funding gap. The race tests whether a well-funded establishment candidate can be defeated by a conservative challenger.

A Missouri bill authorizing gas station slot machines, sponsored by Rep. Bill Hardwick, faces Senate resistance but could gain traction depending on GOP primary outcomes in three key districts. The 8th, 16th, and 20th districts feature candidates with opposing views on gambling expansion, with some receiving significant donations from gambling interests.