ST. LOUIS, Mo (KMOX/AP) - Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has won the race for Missouri's governor, according to the Associated Press.
With 54.2% of precincts reporting, AP called the race for Parson with 58% of the vote compared to challenger Nicole Galloway with 39.97%. See the live results here.
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Parson, the incumbent, and Galloway were both competing in their first campaigns for governor.
Parson was elected lieutenant governor in 2016 and moved to the role of governor after Eric Greitens resigned facing possible impeachment amid multiple scandals.
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Parson’s win is at least partially a referendum on his hands-off approach to the coronavirus, which has been surging in Missouri for months. Missourians also supported the re-election bid of Republican President Donald Trump, who like Parson has opposed things such as mask mandates.
It was the first run for governor for both candidates. Parson, a former sheriff who was elected lieutenant governor in 2016, moved into the top job two years ago after former Republican Gov. Eric Greitens resigned in the face of possible impeachment amid multiple scandals.
The number of COVID-19 cases in Missouri continued to climb in recent weeks as the state confirmed more than 2,000 new cases on Tuesday. However, hospitalizations dropped slightly after setting record highs on the previous two days.
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Galloway has been criticized for the support she has received from racial justice activists who have called for defunding the police. She has said she doesn’t support defunding the police but does favor providing more money for things such as education and mental health services that would address what she calls systemic problems.
The position of Missouri governor is a four-year term.
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