JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Multiple sources tell The Missouri Times that former Missouri House Speaker Catherine Hanaway announced Saturday at the Moniteau County Lincoln Day event that she would be running for Governor in 2016, confirming months of rumors and making her the only declared candidate for her party so far. If Hanaway were to successfully win her primary she would be pitted against Missouri’s Democratic Attorney General Chris Koster, who has already indicated his intentions to run.
She officially announced her candidacy Today.
“After serious consideration, discussion and prayer with my family, I am excited to announce that I will be a candidate for Governor in 2016,” Hanaway said in an official statement. “We can no longer sit idly by as the de-facto Democrat nominee continues to raise money and build his organization.”
Hanaway, a high-powered attorney, served during the party-control switch in 2003, when Democrats lost the House of Representatives in Missouri for the first time in 50 years. The St. Louis County Republican was the first female Speaker of the House.
“I want to lead Missouri in a different direction,” Hanaway said. “I believe we can do better as a state. We can attract better jobs, we can improve the education for our children and we should have a government that respects our freedom as individuals.”
While no other Republicans have announced yet, State Auditor Tom Schweich has long been rumored as a possible candidate.Schweich, who is currently seeking re-election, has more than $600,000 on hand after an impressive $230,000+ 4th quarter, he would appear to have at least a leg up on the early money race.
“If she chooses to run Catherine Hanaway has already shown she is a proven leader,” Rod Jetton, former House speaker, told The Missouri Times. “As speaker she led the effort to balance Missouri’s budget and while advancing an agenda that improved education and healthcare.”
The Missouri Times will continue to update this article as the story unfolds.
Scott Faughn is the publisher of The Missouri Times, owner of the Clayton Times in Clayton; SEMO Times in Poplar Bluff; and host of the only statewide political television show, This Week in Missouri Politics.
