JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft will run for governor in 2024. The Republican announced his candidacy online early Thursday morning.
In his campaign announcement video, Ashcroft launched an attack on career politicians and shared strong conservative stances on campaign issues.
"Career politicians have dug the swamp so deep they can't see out of it anymore," Ashcroft said in his campaign announcement video. "They assign blame, but they don't solve problems."
He promised as governor to ban explicit material from public libraries, end the sale of farmland to China, protect Missourians against banks that subscribe to ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) principles, support law enforcement, keep abortion banned and protect Second Amendment rights.
Ashcroft has served as Missouri's secretary of state since 2017. He is a graduate of Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla and St. Louis University Law School. He previously worked for a defense-based engineering company in West Plains, Missouri; taught engineering and technology courses for St. Louis Community College; and worked alongside his father, former U.S. Attorney General and Missouri Gov. John Ashcroft, at the Ashcroft Law Firm.
"Missouri is blessed with natural resources, strategic transportation infrastructure, bountiful agricultural land and the hardest working people in America," Ashcroft said in his announcement. "But Missouri trails other red states in growing our economy, making our communities safer and protecting our shared values. As governor, I will make sure Missouri leads the country!"
Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) has already announced his plan to run in the gubernatorial race, and State Sen. Bill Eigel (R-District 23) launched an exploratory committee late last year for a potential run in 2024.
Last month, Ashcroft danced around questions about his political ambitions but highlighted Kehoe's negatives on The Record with Max Maxwell.
Watch Jay Ashcroft's extended interview on The Record:
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