Lincoln Hough enters race for Missouri lieutenant governor
After weeks of speculation, state Sen. Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield, announced he will run for Missouri lieutenant governor this year.
“In these times of change and challenges, Missouri deserves a leader who listens, understands, and acts with an unwavering commitment to the welfare of every citizen,” Hough said. “My candidacy is not born out of a desire for political advancement, but from a deep-seated belief in serving the hardworking people of our state, from our cities to our vibrant rural communities.”
Hough currently represents part of Greene County in the Missouri Senate, serving as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which is tasked with crafting the state's operating budget.
During his time in the Missouri Senate, Hough sponsored a $764 million income tax cut, the largest such tax reduction in state history.
"I am proud to have led efforts that resulted in the largest tax cut in our state's history, not as a political statement, but as a necessary step towards ensuring that Missouri remains a place of opportunity, growth, and prosperity for our families and future generations," Hough said.
He thinks that Gov. Mike Parson and Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, who is running for governor, have put the state on a good path, and he hopes to continue that momentum.
“I think my focus will be continuing to build on the successes that we've had, not just in my legislative career, but the very real and tangible successes that Gov. Parson and Lt. Gov. Kehoe have put into the state in the last several years,” Hough said.
He was previously elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 2010, serving from 20112016, and was later elected Greene County commissioner in 2016, a position he held until his election to the state Senate in 2018.
But before he entered a career in public service, Hough came from humble beginnings in Greene County.
“I'm a first generation cattle rancher from southwest Missouri. Not a lot of people can say that,” Hough said. “I actually built my cattle operation starting back in seventh grade.”
Hough says that returning to his cattle ranch on weekends after representing Greene County in the Missouri Senate has given him “the grounding to be in this political world.”
“My break is being at the farm,” Hough said. “My break is taking the boys out to Fair Grove, going fishing, feeding cattle and riding our horses. That's who I am.”
Unlike some political candidates, he wasn't born into a political dynasty. Hough, who was born and raised in Springfield, is a graduate of Missouri State University with a bachelor's degree in political science.
“I don't come from a political family,” Hough said. “I think the only political thing my parents ever did was name me Lincoln.”
He faces a crowded Republican primary in August. Currently, four Republicans have declared themselves as candidates — state Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder, Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher, Franklin County Clerk Tim Baker and St. Louis County businessman Paul Berry III. Richard Brown is the only Democrat in the race so far.
Former state Sen. Bob Onder had initially declared his intention to run for Missouri lieutenant governor this year, but he is now seeking the soonto-be open congressional seat vacated by U.S. Rep. Blaine Leutkemeyer, who announced his plans to retire this year.
Plocher's run has been marred by an ethics probe into his actions concerning the firing of a staff member, as well as scandal surrounding reimbursement by the House for expenses paid for by campaign funds.