Candidates running for office are preparing to find out whether they will move on to November’s general election. Missouri’s election polls closed at 7 p.m. Stephanie Fleming with the Secretary of State’s office says absentee ballot figures could be released around 7:30 p.m.
All Missouri House of Representatives seats and half of the state Senate seats are up for grabs this election cycle.
Some of the races to watch out for include:
** U.S. Senate: Incumbent Senator Roy Blunt (R) faces three primary challengers: Kristi Nichols, Bernie Mowinski and Ryan Luethy. Blunt is seeking his second Senate term. Four Democrats are running: Secretary of State Jason Kander, Chief Wana Dubie, Cori Bush and Robert Mack.
** Gubernatorial race: Governor Jay Nixon (D) cannot seek re-election because of term limits. Four Democrats are seeking the nomination: Attorney General Chris Koster, former Kansas City Mayor and former State Sen. Charles Wheeler, Leonard Steinman II and Eric Morrison. Four Republicans are seeking the GOP nomination: former House Speaker Catherine Hanaway of Warson Woods, Navy SEAL Eric Greitens, businessman John Brunner and Lt. Governor Peter Kinder.
** Lt. Governor: Republican incumbent Peter Kinder (R) is running for Governor, so the Lt. Governor position is open in November. Kinder is finishing his third term. Three Republicans are running: Bev Randles, State Sen. Mike Parson of Bolivar and Arnie Dienoff. Three Democrats are seeking their party’s nomination: former St. Louis Congressman Russ Carnahan, St. Louis State Rep. Tommie Pierson and Winston Apple.
** Secretary of State: incumbent Democrat Jason Kander (D) is running for U.S. Senate, so the Secretary of State position is open in November. Kander was elected in 2012. Three Democrats are running: Bill Clinton Young, former St. Louis television newscaster Robin Smith and MD Rabbi Alam. Three Republicans are running: State Sen. Will Kraus of Lee’s Summit, Jay Ashcroft and Roi Chinn.
** Attorney General: incumbent Chris Koster (D) is making a gubernatorial run, so this position is open in November. Koster is finishing his second term as Attorney General. Two Democrats are running: former State Rep. Jake Zimmerman, D-Olivette, and former Cass County Prosecutor Teresa Hensley. There are two Republican candidates: constitutional lawyer Josh Hawley of Columbia and State Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia.
** Missouri’s First Congressional District: incumbent U.S. Rep. Lacy Clay (D) is being challenged by State Sen. Maria Chappelle Nadal, D-University City, and Bill Haas. Clay is in his eighth term in Congress. Two Republicans are seeking the GOP nomination: Steven Bailey of St. Louis and Bridgeton’s Paul Berry III. The First Congressional District includes St. Louis City and parts of St. Louis County.
Local election authorities project a voter turnout of 31% or 1.2 million Missourians.
Missourinet live election coverage will continue throughout Tuesday evening.
For updated election results, click here.