KANSAS CITY, Mo. — John Hancock was formally elected as Chairman of the Republican Party at their annual Lincoln Day event in Kansas City, marking the end to a three-way battle for the post to replace former chairman, Ed Martin.
Hancock has been courting Missouri Republican Party statewide committee members — who elect the chairman — for months, visiting in kitchens, making phone calls and even working the halls of the Missouri Capitol. Hancock has been a staple of the Missouri Republican party for years, serving as Executive Director for six years.
Hancock is considered one of the top strategists in the state for Republicans, and his consulting firm as worked with clients across the country. Hancock was challenged late in the race by Nick Myers, Chairman of the Newton County Republicans and Eddy Justice, Butler County and 8th congressional district chairman. Both men offered themselves as “activist, grassroots” alternatives to the high-powered Hancock.
“It’s a tremendous responsibility, I have a great sense of awe at what needs to be done,” Hancock told The Missouri Times. “We have to get our party healthy and I think we’re going to leave Lincoln Days more unified than we’ve been in a long time.”
Hancock has vowed to focus the party’s attention on statewide races, where Republicans have struggled despite resounding wins in down-ticket races. Hancock said he would rely on Republican House and Senate committees to continue their relative success in funding campaigns and recruiting candidates. Hancock’s focus would be on statewide ballots, where, despite massive majorities in both chambers, Republicans continue to lose key races.
“We have a House campaign committee that does very very well, we have a senate majority committee that does very well, but the Missouri Republican Party is the party of the White House and other statewide races,” Hancock said. “With Democrats vacating every single statewide office that they hold, we have a real opportunity that we haven’t had in years to sweep in and take many of those in 2016.”
With 2016 shaping up to be one of the biggest years in Missouri for statewide races, Hancock’s promise to focus the party should get the nervous attention of Missouri Democrats who need continued statewide success in 2016 to continue to be relevant in Missouri politics.
Hancock won 50 votes. Myers earned 11, and Justice received 7.
Collin Reischman was the Managing Editor for The Missouri Times, and a graduate of Webster University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
