The Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA) announced its endorsement of Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe in the 2024 gubernatorial race.
This endorsement from MCGA comes over two years before the next election for governor, yet they are not the first organization to endorse Kehoe in this race. Organizations like the Fire Fighter Association of Missouri (FFAM), the Missouri Agribusiness Association (MO-AG) the Missouri Cattlemen Association, and the Missouri Soybean Association have all already announced their early endorsements for Kehoe.
“Agriculture is fortunate to have a champion like Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe,” said MCGA President Jay Schutte of Benton City. “A respected statesman with a strong track record of support, not to mention a farmer himself, it was an easy decision to endorse Mike Kehoe in his race to become the 58th governor of Missouri. He understands the corn and ethanol industries and uses that knowledge to help keep Missouri farmers competitive. His commonsense approach and ability to create partnerships make Mike Kehoe the right person to continue leading our state forward. The Missouri Corn Growers Association is proud to endorse Mike Kehoe in this upcoming election.”
As a membership-based organization representing corn farmers across the state, MCGA supports candidates with proven records on policy issues impacting corn growers.
In order to receive an endorsement from MCGA, Kehoe had to meet certain standards established by the board of directors, a governing body comprised of 14 corn growers throughout Missouri. These standards include a strong voting record on MCGA’s top issues, as well as being a recipient of the organization’s esteemed Public Servant Award, which Kehoe was awarded in 2015.
“As a first-generation farmer, I am proud to receive this important endorsement for governor from the Missouri Corn Growers Association,” Lt. Governor Kehoe said. “Year after year, our hard-working corn growers make Missouri a top producer in the country which grows our economy. Together we will work to identify greater opportunities to make our state even more competitive and the best place in the country for agriculture. Claudia and I want to thank all of Missouri’s farmers who work tirelessly in the fields to feed our country and the world.”
MCGA was formed in 1978 to advance policies that will help protect the rights of farmer-members, build new markets for corn, and increase opportunities through partnerships within agriculture and beyond.
To learn more about MCGA, or to become involved with the organization, you can visit their website here.
Brady Hays is a 2023 graduate of the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in History. He is currently attending the University of Missouri School of Law and is on pace to graduate with his JD in 2026. He has been working for the Missouri Times since early March 0f 2022.